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

Cardiospermum Fossil Leaf 

This exceptional Cardiospermum fossil leaf was recovered from the early Middle Eocene strata of the Green River Formation in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. Approximately 50 million years old, the specimen is preserved in finely laminated lake sediments that capture intricate venation and delicate surface detail. Its deep brown coloration contrasts beautifully with the surrounding shale, making it both scientifically informative and visually compelling.

During the Eocene, the Green River region was characterized by expansive freshwater lakes bordered by dense, warm-temperate to subtropical vegetation. Herbaceous vines such as Cardiospermum likely climbed along shrubs and small trees near the shoreline, contributing to a layered and diverse plant community. The fossil record of this genus helps demonstrate that vine-dominated habitats were already established in Paleogene ecosystems.

The Green River Formation is widely recognized for its extraordinary fossil preservation. In addition to its iconic fish, it contains a rich botanical record that includes leaves, seeds, and occasional insect impressions. Plant fossils like this specimen are essential for reconstructing ancient climate conditions and understanding plant evolution during a period of global warmth.

Modern Cardiospermum species, commonly called balloon vines, thrive in warm climates today—evidence of a lineage that has endured for tens of millions of years.