Thursday, September 8, 2022

Phenanthera petalifera Flower Fossil


This fossil flower was found in the Florissant Formation of Teller County, Colorado USA. It appears to be Phenanthera petalifera (Hollick, 1907). Fossil dates to the Eocene Epoch of the Paleogene Period (about 34 million years ago).

Appropriately, this being a flower fossil that florissant is French for flowering. Thanks to Kenny for this picture.

The American Naturalist, Sept. 1908, Some Results of the Florissant Expedition of 1908 by Professor T.D.A. Cockerell (page 576)