Take a closer look and see the well-preserved veining of this ancient leaf.
The Paleocene began after the earth-altering Cretaceous period about 66 million years ago and lasted 10 million years. The climate was subtropical with ocean temperatures higher than before. The dinosaurs were gone as well as a large amount of other animals and plants. Ferns began to take over and modern flora like cactus and palms started to appear. Because of the worldwide tropical climate and lack of dinosaurs to eat the foliage, the first rainforests, and coniferous and deciduous forests were dense. However, mammals and birds diversified to take the place of dinosaurs.
Type: Plant Leaf
Species: Zizyphoides flabellum
Age: Paleocene (66 million years old)
Formation: Fort Union Formation
Glendive, Montana
Size (of plate): 2.75 x 2.56 x .88 inches
Size (of specimen): 1.5 x 1.31 inches
Weight: 3.5 oz.