Eocene Green River Allophylus
Allophylus flexifolia
Green River Formation
Middle Eocene
Lincoln County, Wyoming
This very fine example of the species is a nice large leaf at 15 cm long. The leaf veins are prominent. This specimen is from the 18 inch layer.
A. flexifolia is relatively common in the Green River Formation. The genus today has over 100 living species that inhabit tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, the Americas, and Africa. It usually has the form of a large shrub or small tree often found along stream banks and rivers. The abundance of this species in the formation suggests that the host plants may have grown along tributaries to the ancient lakes.
$240