3.2" Detailed Fossil Leaf (Allophylus) - Insect Predation!

This is a 3.2" long fossil leaf from the plant Allophylus flexifolia. Allophyllus is a genus of flowering plants in the Sapindaceae (Soapberry) family, members of which still survive today. A good portion of the leaf was eaten by a bug prior to fossilization.

It comes from the Green River Formation in Uintah County, Utah. While this formation is best known for well-preserved fossil fish found in Wyoming, other sections of the formation contain very diverse flora and insect fauna.

This specimen includes an acrylic stand.