2.1" Detailed Eugenia Americana Fossil Plant Leaf Eocene Age Green River Formation Utah

Eugenia Americana Fossil Leaf – Early Middle Eocene from the Green River Formation

This beautifully preserved Eugenia americana fossil leaf dates to the early Middle Eocene, approximately 53–48 million years ago, and originates from the renowned Green River Formation of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. The specimen displays clear venation and fine structural detail, offering an exceptional example of Eocene plant preservation within the finely laminated lake shales.

Although the Green River Formation is best known for its remarkably detailed fish fossils, it also preserves a diverse assemblage of plants, invertebrates, reptiles, mammals, and even Eocene stromatolites. Plant fossils such as Eugenia americana are abundant within these deposits, demonstrating that members of this lineage were a significant component of the lush vegetation surrounding the ancient freshwater lakes where the sediments accumulated.

Occasionally, associated insect impressions are found alongside plant material in these shales, though insects remain relatively rare within the formation. Such associations provide valuable insight into the ecological interactions between Eocene flora and fauna.

Specimens of Eugenia americana contribute to our understanding of Paleogene forest composition, climate conditions, and plant diversity in prehistoric North America. Ideal for collectors, educators, and museum displays, this fossil leaf offers a tangible connection to the warm, thriving ecosystems of the Eocene epoch and represents an important piece of the Green River Formation’s extraordinary paleobotanical record.