2.7" Zizyphoides Flabellum Fossil Plant Leaf Fort Union Glendive MT Paleocene Age

Location: Glendive, Montana - Fort Union Formation

Weight: 12.7 Ounces

Dimensions: 3.5 Inches Long, 3.4 Inches Wide, 1.1 Inches Thick (Plate)

Leaf Dimensions: 2.7 Inches Long, 2.2 Inches Wide

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

This is a genuine fossil

Paleocene Age 60 million years ago

Discover the ancient world with this stunning Zizyphoides Flabellum fossil leaf, dating from the early Paleocene Epoch, approximately 66–56 million years ago. This period immediately followed the Cretaceous–Paleogene mass extinction, a pivotal event that ended the reign of non-avian dinosaurs, giant marine reptiles, and numerous other species, leaving ecological niches for new life to flourish. During the Paleocene, Earth’s climate was warm and ice-free, supporting dense subtropical, tropical, and deciduous forests that stretched even to polar regions. This era saw the rise of modern plant lineages, including flowering plants (angiosperms), palms, and cacti, along with the insects that coevolved to pollinate and feed on them. The Zizyphoides Flabellum fossil leaf preserves remarkable details of leaf structure, offering a rare glimpse into the composition, diversity, and resilience of early post-extinction forests. With forests denser than those of the Cretaceous, fossils like this provide invaluable insight into prehistoric ecosystems and plant evolution. Ideal for fossil collectors, educators, museums, and paleobotany enthusiasts, this Zizyphoides Flabellum leaf is both a scientific treasure and a visually striking display piece, connecting modern viewers to Earth’s ancient forests and the origins of modern plant life.