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Monday, November 16, 2020

Quercus berryi Leaf Fossil

Above is a picture of an oak leaf plant fossil called Quercus berryi (Trelease, 1918). This plant fossil dates to the Oligocene Epoch (33.7-23.8 million years ago). It was found in the state of Oregon, USA. While not listed on the label, this might be from the John Day Basin.

The fossil was on display in the Evolving Planet section of The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago Illinois, USA as of August 2020. Accession number is UP525. It is part of a plant leaf fossil collection on display.

Renamed by William Trelease (1857-1945) in 1918. The Ancient Oaks of America. Memoirs of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden 1: 492–501. It looks to me he changed the name of Q. breweri Lesquereux 1883 not Wats. to Q. berryi n. nom.