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

Cardiospermum Fossil Leaf

This authentic Cardiospermum fossil leaf comes from the early Middle Eocene deposits of the Green River Formation, approximately 53–48 million years old. Discovered in the fossil-rich shales of Utah, Colorado, or Wyoming, the leaf is preserved in fine lakebed sediments that faithfully record its graceful outline and radiating venation. The smooth compression and natural dark tonality reflect the calm, oxygen-poor conditions of the ancient lake floor where it settled millions of years ago.

During the Eocene, this region supported expansive freshwater lakes bordered by flourishing subtropical vegetation. Herbaceous vines such as Cardiospermum would have grown along lake margins, climbing through shrubs and low trees in warm, humid conditions. Their fossilized remains provide important evidence of plant diversity and structural complexity within Paleogene ecosystems.

While the Green River Formation is widely known for its exceptionally preserved fish fossils, it also yields a remarkable variety of plant material, including leaves, seeds, and occasional insect impressions. These botanical fossils are critical for reconstructing Eocene climate patterns and understanding the evolution of flowering plants during one of Earth’s warmest Cenozoic intervals.

Today, living species of Cardiospermum—often called balloon vines—are distributed across warm regions worldwide, demonstrating the enduring success of this lineage.