1.4" Detailed Cedrelospermum Nervosum Fossil Plant Leaf Eocene Age Green River FM UT

Cardiospermum coloradensis is an exquisitely preserved fossil leaf from the Green River Formation, dating to the early Middle Eocene, approximately 50 million years ago. Collected from Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, this herbaceous vine fossil exhibits a rich, dark chocolate coloration, highlighting the delicate venation and fine structural details of the Cardiospermum genus.

As a member of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), Cardiospermum species were an essential component of lake-margin vegetation during the Eocene, contributing to the complex plant communities that thrived around ancient lakes. Fossil leaves like this provide paleobotanists with critical insight into leaf morphology, diversity, and the ecological roles of herbaceous vines in early Cenozoic landscapes. Remarkably, modern relatives of this genus continue to influence ecosystems today, with one species recognized as invasive in the southern United States.

This fossil leaf is ideal for fossil collectors, educational institutions, and museums. Its exceptional preservation makes it both visually striking and scientifically valuable, offering a tangible connection to North America’s lush Eocene environments. Displayed or studied, it demonstrates the importance of herbaceous vines in prehistoric ecosystems, illustrating plant diversity, paleoecology, and the intricate relationships between flora and the surrounding lake habitats.