Ginkgo Fossil Leaf
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Kevmin" title="User:Kevmin">Kevmin</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameGinkgo Fossil Leaf
Chemical FormulaC (organic material) within a sedimentary matrix (e.g., silicates, carbonates)
Mohs Hardness2
Crystal Systemamorphous
Lusterdull
Streak Colorblack to dark brown
Cleavagenone (for the fossil); matrix may exhibit platy cleavage
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity2
Colorsdark brown, reddish-brown, tan, buff
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityKlondike Mountain Formation, Republic, Ferry County, Washington, USA
Mineral GroupFossil (plant fossil)
Usespaleobotanical research, educational displays, collector
Associated Mineralsquartz, clay minerals, feldspar, calcite
Rarityuncommon
Description
A well-preserved, fan-shaped Ginkgo biloba leaf, approximately 6.7cm tall, exhibiting distinct venation and evidence of insect herbivory, embedded in a light tan sedimentary rock matrix.
Geological Context
This fossil formed approximately 49 million years ago during the Eocene Ypresian age within the Klondike Mountain Formation, likely in a lacustrine or fluvial environment where plant material was rapidly buried and preserved in fine-grained sediments.
