1.8" Detailed Rosa Hilliae Fossil Plant Leaf Eocene Age Green River Formation Utah

Rosa hilliae is a fossil leaf from an extinct rose species preserved in the early Middle Eocene shales of the Green River Formation, spanning Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. Dating back approximately 53–48 million years, this specimen exhibits well-preserved venation, providing valuable insight into the morphology and ecological role of Eocene rose species.

While the Green River Formation is most famous for its exceptionally preserved fish fossils, its deposits reveal a remarkably diverse fossil record, including plants, invertebrates, reptiles, mammals, and even rare Eocene stromatolites. This Rosa hilliae leaf includes traces of a tiny insect, which, though not fully preserved, offers rare evidence of ecological interactions, as insects are infrequently fossilized in this formation.

The abundance of Rosa hilliae and other plant fossils in these lake-margin shales indicates that rose species were an important component of Eocene vegetation surrounding the large freshwater lakes. Fossils like this help paleobotanists reconstruct the structure, diversity, and dynamics of ancient plant communities, shedding light on the role of flowering plants in prehistoric ecosystems.

Ideal for fossil collectors, educators, and museums, this Rosa hilliae leaf is both visually striking and scientifically significant. Its exceptional preservation provides a tangible connection to North America’s lush Eocene landscapes, illustrating the diversity of early flowering plants and their interactions with contemporaneous fauna in lake-margin environments.