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UNITED STATES DEP 

THE RECOG NIZ-Lt\B E SPECIES OF THE 

GREEN RI 

ROLAND W. BROWN 

Shorter contributions general geology, 193~-3!l 

IPa 45"-77) 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Price 10 ceuts I 
CONTENTS 

Pagt 

Abstract-------------------- ---- ----- --- ---- ----- ------ -- -- -- --- -~ ------ -------------------- -------- 45 

Introduction ______ _______ __ ___ _________ ____ ____ __ ____________ _______________________ --- -------------------- 45 

Synonyms, changes of name, and rejections ______ ________ ____________ __________________________________ _ .:. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 46 

The recognizable species of the Green River flora__ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4 7 

The significant species of the flora_ _____________________________________________________________________________ 49 

Systematic descriptions _________________ __ ______ ___ ------------------------ __ ---:-- ______ "- ________________ ____ 51 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

P ·LATES 8-15_ Fossil plants from the Green Riverformation ___________________________________________ '- _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ 69 

II 
THE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES OF THE GREEN RIVER FLORA 

By RoLAND W. BROWN 

ABSTRACT 

The identification of new collections of fossil plants from 

tlhe Green River formation of middle Eocene age made it necessary to reexamine the megascopic types of the Green River 

flora. This study resulted in the reassignment of some species 

and the rejection of such species as were based on fragmentary, indefinable specimens. The ecent collections yielded · 

22 new species. Exclusive of the microscopic forms of thallophytes and pollens, the flor a now numbers 135 megascopic 

species that are considered to be recognizable and distinctive. 

'I'he new elements found in the flora do not alter the previously 

expressed opinion that the megascopic Green River flora lived 

in a warm-temperate well-watered environment. 

INTRODUCTION 

The middle Eocene Green River shales of western 

Colorado, eastern Utah, and southwestern Wyoming 

continue to yield new fossil material that enlarges our 

knowledge of the Green River flora and tends to clarify our notions of the general environmental situation 

of the Green River lakes. The plants described in this 

paper are largely contained in recent collections or 

acquisitions by persons or institutions not connected 

with the United .states Geological Survey, through 

whose courtesy I was permitted to examine the collections and to describe such species as may be new to 

science. Grateful acknowledgment for these favors 

is hereby made to Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell and Prof. 

Jrunius Henderson, of the University of ~lorado; Dr. 

Ira Edwards, of the Milwaukee Public Museum; Prof; 

0. M. Ball, of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas; and the late Dr. Arthur Hollick, of the 

New York Botanical Garden. 

For a few· days during the field season of 1930 I 

a,ccompanied W. H. Bradley, of tne Geological Survey, 

on a visit to outcrops of the Green River formation in 

· southwestern Wyoming. We made small collections of 

fossil plants near the classic fossil fish localities at · 

Fossil and Green River, Wyo. These as well as all the 

collections mentioned above came from the upper part 

of the Green River formation. 

During the process of identifying the specimens 

in the new collections I reexamined the types of the 

Green River fossil flora in the United States National 

]v.J:useum. This study resulted in the discovery that 

some species not originally included in the flora by 

Knowlton 1 had the same matrix and were from the 

same locality as other species which he did include. 

No doubt these species were overlooked because they 

had been stored ·among other scattered collections. 

\Vith the addition of these strays, the transfer . of 

some species to their proper synonymy, and the exclu- . 

sionof ill-defined or unrecognizable forms, the Green 

River floral list now presents a body of fairly ·well 

characterized species. Though some of the species in 

. this list m not be correctly allocated botanically, it 

is hoped th t they have been segregated so distinctly 

as to be cle rly recognizable and therefore practically 

useful in aking future identifications. 

Our kno ledge of the Gre~n River flora is probably still I eager in comparison to what it 1nay be 

eventually. At the test pits of oil-shale prospectors 

in all part of the region where the formation crops 

out there oubtless exist plant remains which await 

discovery a d collection. 

The Gre n River flora is definitely of middle ·Eocene age, b c·ause ·the deposits in which it occurs lie 

stratigraph cally above the ~T asatch formation and 

below the ridger formation. This flora, therefore, 

has some i portance as a standard of comparison in 

the discuss on of the geologic age and the biologic 

relations o floras which preceded or followed it in 

the same o adjoining regions. The Fort Union and 

.Florissant oras are two in which particular interest 

centers; bu before adequate cmnparisons can be made 

with these oras they must be restudied and revised. 

The Fort nion flora · is clearly older than the Green 

River flora because it occurs in :1>eds that lie beneath 

the Wasat h, which in turn lies beneath the Green 

River for atioh. On the other hand, it is_ not so · 

clear that he Florissant flora is as much. you'nger 

than the G een River as has been supposed. Placed 

in parallel columns, the identical or nearly identical 

species coi mon to both floras are as follmvs : 

reen River Florissant 

Populus wiln attae________________ Populus pyrifolia 

Salix eockere L __ ________ _ _: _____ _:_ Salix florissanti 

Myrica minu ----------- --------- Myrica drymeja 

Juglans cross L__________________ _ Juglans magnifica 

· Hicoria jugl diformis____________ Hicoria juglandiformis 

Quercus dry eja_________________ Quercus drymeja 

Celtis mccos ii___________________ Celtis mccoshii 

1 Knowlton, F. H., Revision of the flora of the Green River formation : U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, pp. 133-182, 1923. Odostemon e 

Lomatia terminalis 

Lomatia acutiloba 

Banksites lineatus 

Odostemon fiorissanterisis 

45 
46 SitOltTER CO~TRIBtJTIONS TO G~N~RAL G~OLOGY' 19 3 4-3 5 

Green River . li'lorissant 

Liquidambar callarche____________ Liquidambar convexum 

Amygdalus gracilis_______________ Amygdalus gracilis 

Mimosites coloradensis ____________ Mimosites linearis 

Cassia hesperia ___________________ Cytisus fiorissaotianus 

Podogonium am~ricanum ________ __ Podogonium acuminatum 

Ailanthus lesquereuxL ____________ Ailanthus americana 

,Rhus variabilis ___________________ Rhus coriaroides 

Sapindus dentonL________ ________ Sapindus coloradensis 

Koelreuteria viridifiuminis ________ Koelreuteria alieni 

!lex coloradensis_________________ Ilex leonis 

Partbenocissus tertiaria ___________ Partbenocissus osborni 

Tilia scudderL ___________________ Tilia populifolia 

Sterculia coloradensis _____________ Sterculia engleri 

Fraxinus fiexifolia ____________ 1 ___ Fraxinus mespilifolia 

Apocynophyllum wilcoxense _______ Apocynophyllum pealii 

Sambucus'? winchesterL___________ Sambucus ellisiae 

It would appear, therefore, from their commonalty 

uf species and general composition, together with their 

relative geographic contiguity, that these two floras 

were closely related biologically. That they may have 

been separated by a considerable time interval is possib ~e but in my opinion is not definitely established. 

A flora closely related to and of the same or approximately the same age as the Green River flora 

i~ that described by Berry 2 from the Wind River 

Basin of Wyon1ing, in which he finds 21 species common to the two floras. Berry 3 has also recently described a few small collections from localities in Wyoming at horizons called lower Bridger and so-called 

•• Bridger." The fossils, with one exception, are 

Green River species and indicate that the Green River 

type of flora continued into Bridger time. 

A subtropical flora, said by Chaney and Sanborn 4 

t9 be of upper Eocene or lower Oligocene age, has 

recently been described from Goshen, Oreg., by those 

authors. Although I have seen few of the type or 

uuplicate specimens of this flora, I judge from a comparison of the published illustrations with the types 

of the Green River flora that there is little if any.:. 

thing / common to the two floras. Ocotea eocernua 

and Astroniun1- egmnt.m~, of the Goshen flora, are 

somewhat comparable with and may be related to 

Oreodaphne coloradensis and Rhtus variabilis, respectively,-' of the Green River flora. · 

The number of species common to the Green R1ver 

flora and the early Tertiary floras recorded fron1 areas 

to the east and southeast: namely, the Denver, Raton, 

'Vilcox, Claiborne, and Jackson floras, is not significant enough to indicate more than a distant relationship. This relationship, however, appears to be closer 

than· that with the Goshen flora to the west. 

2 Berry, E. W., A flora of Green River age in the Wind River Basin 

of Wyoming: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 165, pp. 55-79, pis. 

6-15, 1930. 

3 Berry, E.. W., Eocene plants from Wyoming: Am. Mus. Novitates, 

no. 527, 1932. 

4 Chaney, R. W., and Sanborn, E. I., The Goshen flora of westcentral Oregon: Carnegie Inst., Washington Pub. 439, p. 64, 1933. 

SYNONYMS, CHANGES OF NAME, AND REJECTIONS 

The restudy of the type specimens of the Green 

River flora in the light of new material included in a 

few large collections makes the following changes 

necessary. The reasons for the changes, unless given 

immediately, are fully stated in the sy;:;tematic descriptions of the several species. 

Aoer lesquereumii Knowlton. Seed=.Aoer· mysticum Kirchner. 

Ailanthus lon.gep61tiolata Lesquereux. Leaf=Rhu.s wng61petiolata (Lesquereux) Brown, n. comb. Seed=.Ailantluu,.s lesquereumi Cockerell. 

Alnus kefm·steinii (Goeppert) Unger. Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. 

. Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 7, p. 140, pl. 64, fig. 11, 1878= 

Viburnum asperum Newberry. 

Banisteria bradleyi Brown=Oassia hesperia Brown. 

Banksia. cockerelli Brown=Salim longiacuminata Knowlton. 

Betttla eocenica Brown=Betula ooloradea· Brown, n. name. 

Bttmelia coloraaensis Cockerell= Legumi!nosites lesquereumiana 

Knowlton. 

Caenomyces eucalpytae Knowlton=Sphaerites, species of. 

Caenomyces plq,nerae Brown=Sphaerites, species of. 

Caenomyces sapindioola Knowlton=Sphaerites, species of. 

Carpolithlus capsularis Brown=Carpites viburni Lesquereux. 

Carpolithus ellipticws Brown=CarpoUthus prunoides Brown, 

n. name. 

Celtis debequensis Brown=Celtis mccoshii Lesquereux. 

Cinrnamomrum scheuchzeri Heer. Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 8, p. 38, fig. 6, 1883=Ficus wwoming·iarna 

Lesquereux. 

Cissus parrottia.efolia Lesquereux. See Knowlton, U.S. Geol. 

Survey Prof. Paper 131, p. 170, 1923. Rejected. Locality 

doubtful. 

Comptonria'l anomaza. Knowlton=Planera inequilateralis (Lesquereux) Knowlton. 

Cyperus ohavannesi Heer. See Knowlton,·. U.S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 131, p. 152, 1923. Rejected. Specimens missing. 

Locality doubtful. 

l)albergia knowltoni Cockerell=Leguminosites lesquereumiarna 

Knowlton. 

Dalbergia viridijlumensis Knowlton=Planera nervosa Newberry. 

Euonymus jlea:;ifoUus Lesquereux=Framinus jlea:;ifolia (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb. 

Ficus alkalina Lesquereux=J uglans alkalina Lesquereux. 

Ficus tenuinervis Lesquereux=Oercis ten'll.tinervis (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb.· 

Ficus ungeri Lesquereux=Juglans schimperi Lesquereux. 

Pra.a:;inus petiolat'a BrOJVn=Fraa:;inus jlea:;ifolia (Lesquereux) · 

Brown, n.comb. 

Ilea:;'! a/finis Lesquereux=Querous castwneopsis Lesquereux. 

Ilea:; maculata Lesquereux=Quercus castwneopsis Lesquereux. 

Ilea:; wyomingiana Lesquereux=Zizyphus oinnamomoides Lesquereux. 

Juglans ocoidentalis Newberry=Juglans schimperi Lesquereux. 

Juglan.s winchesteri Knowlton=Juglans allvalina Lesquereux. 

Jmwus sp. Lesquereux. See Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 131, p. 155, 1923. Rejected. Specimens missing. 

Leguminosites alternans Lesquereux. See Knowlton, idem, p. 

165. Rejected. Not figured. Specimens missing. 

Loma.tia'! miorophylla Lesquereux. See Knowlton, idem, p. 

162. Rejected. Types missing. Locality doubtful. 

Lygodium dJ,entoni Lesquereux. See Knowlton, idem, p. 150. 

Rejected. Types missing. Locality doubtful. 
THE :RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES OF THE GRE N' RIVER FLORA 47 

Melia coloradensis Cockerell=Lomatia colora.densi8 (Knowlton) Brown. 

Mimosites debeqtwnsis Brown=M'imosites coloradensis Knowlton. 

Mimos'ites falOtttus Brown=M·imosites colorader~,Si8 Knowltou. · 

Myrica tu,d-wigU Schimper. See Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 131, p. 1m, 1923= Rhus 'Va?·ic"bVlis (Newberry) 

Knowlton. · · 

Myrica salicina Uuger. See Knowlton, idem, p. 156. Rejected. Not figured . .. Specimen missing. 

Myrica torrey·i Lesquereux. Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 154, p. 283, 192,9=Sapindus dentoni Lesquereux. 

Myrica und1tlata? Heer. Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr.-

Rept., vol. 7, p. 131, pl. . 17, figs. 6--8, 1878= Rhus variabilis 

(Newberry) Knowlton. 

Myrica za,chariensis Saporta. Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey 

Terr. Rept., vol. 8, p. , 146, pl. 45a, 1igs. 6-9 [not pl. 25, fig. 5], 

1883=Rhus variaMlis (Newberry) Knowlton. 

Myrica sp. Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, 

p. 157, pl. 37, fig. 2, 1923=Rhus variabiUs (Newberry) 

Knowlton; idem, p. 158, pl. 40, fig. 13=Salia: longiaouminata Knowlton. 

Odostemon reynolds'ii . Hollick= Fra,a:·intts flea:ifoUa (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb. 

Oreodaphne knowltoni .Brown= Oreodaphne lanaifoUa (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb. 

Phyllites f1"emonti Unger. See Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. Paper 131, p. 176, 1923. Rejected. Type lost. Locality doubtful. 

Pimelea spatula,ta Knowlton=Lom£ttia coloradensis (Knowl-

. ton) Brown. 

Pontederites thecoides Hollick=Spargani.um antiquum (Newberry) Berry. 

Populus saudderi. Cockerell=Tilia sc·udderi (Cockerell) Brown, 

n.comb. 

Quercus neriifoUa Al. Braun. Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey 

Terr. Rept., vol. 8, p. 155, pl. 31, fig. 12, 1883=Amygdalus 

gracilis Lesquereux. 

Rhus lesquereua:ii Knowlton and Cockerell. See Knowlton, 

U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, p. 167, 1923. Rejected. 

Not figured. Specimen missing. 

[(,hus myricoidJes Knowlton= Rhus va•ria.bilis (Newberry) 

Knowlton. Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 154, p. 

287, pl. 73, fig. 9·, 19,29·=Rhus longepetiolata (Lesquereux) 

Brown, n.comb. 

Rhus nf>grica!Jts (Lesquereux) Knowlton=Rhw variabiUs 

(Newberry) Knowlton. 

Salw Unearis Knowlton=Myrica minuta Knowlton. 

SaliaJ sp. Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, 

p. 156, pl. 37, figs. 3, 5, 19,23=Pla,nera nervosa Newberry; 

fig. 4=Apocynophyllum roan,ense Brown, n.sp. 

Salim sp. [Salia: media Heer]. Knowlton, idem, p. 156= 

Sapinitus dentoni Lesquereux. 

Sapindus l·ancifolius Lesque·reux, U.S: Geol. Survey Terr. 

Rept., vol. 8, p. 182, pl. 37, fig. 9, 1883=0reodaphne lancitolia (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb.; pl. 32, figs. 3-6=Sapindus dentoni Lesquereux. 

Sophora coloraa.ensis Knowlton=Legummosites Zesquf!Yreua:iana Knowlton. ' 

Sphaerites myricae Lesquereux=Sphaerites, species of. 

Staphylea 'IJiridiflu'Yrllinis Hollick=Koelreuteria viridi{luminis 

(Hollick) Brown, n.comb. 

Zizyphus longifoUa. Newberry=Zizyphus cinnamomoiJdes Lesquereu:x:. 

THE RECOG IZABLE SPECIES OF THE GREEN RIVER 

FLORA 

Thallophyta : 

Chlorello coloniatu Reis 

Confervit s mantiensis Bradley 

Chroococ us'? sp. cf. C. westii (\V. West) P. Boye 

Uhroococ us'! sp. cf. U. dispersus (Von Keissler) LemCoelastru ? sp. cf. C. Yerrucosum Reinsch 

Crinaliun ? sp. Bradley 

Crinalim ? sp. cf. C. endophyticum Crow 

cf. Erem sphaera sp. De Bary 

Havalo:sit hon sp. cf. H. confervaceus Borzi 

' Microspo a sp. cf. M. pachyde1:ma (Wille) Lagerheim 

Phacus sr. cf. P. caudata Hubner 

Stigeoclor ium? sp. cf. S; lubricum (Dillwyn) Kiitz.ing 

'l'etraep.r sp. cf. T. regulare var . . torsum (Turner) 

Brunnt aler 

Eoglobell Jongipes Bradley 

Phenacoc actus hendersoni Cockerell 

Sphaerite , species of 

Fungi, sp cies of 

Bryophyta : L jeunea eophila Cockerell 

Pteridophyta : 

Acrostich m hesperium Newberry 

.Aneimia elicatula Brown 

.Aspleniu eoligniticum Berry 

.Azolla, be ry Brown, n.sp. 

Danaea c loradensis Knowlton 

Lygodium kaulfussii Heer 

sepulta (Newberry) Knowlton 

Equis.:tu winchesteri Brown 

Equisetu wyomingense Lesquereux 

Sperm a tophyt 

Cycadipit s sp. Wodehouse 

Dioonipit s sp. Wodehouse 

Pinus bal Brown, n.sp. 

Pinus sco ulipites vVodehouse 

Pinus str bipites vVodehouse 

Pinus tu erculipites w·odehouse 

Taxites e cenica Brown 

Taxodiu hiatipites Wodehouse 

Glyptostr bus vacuipites Wodehouse 

Picea gr·a 1diveseipites Wodehouse 

Picea pin fructus Brown 

Abies con olipites Wodehouse 

Abietipite antiquus Wodehouse 

Cedripite eocenicus Wodehouse 

Tsuga vi 'difluminipites Wodehouse 

Cunningh mia concedipites Wodehouse 

Ephedra ocenipites W odehouse 

Spargani m antiquum (Newberry) Berry 

Spargani m eocenicum Brown 

Potamoge on hollickipites W odehouse 

Potamoge on rubus Brown, n.sp. 

Arundo p eudogoepperti Berry 

Arundo r perta Lesquereux 

Cyperacit s haydenii (Lesquereux) KnO\vlton 

.Arecipite punctatus Wodehouse 

Arecipite rugosus '\Vodehouse 

Geonomit s haydenii (Newberry) Knowltoll 

Sabalites orissanti ( Lesquereux) Berry 

Sabalites owellii (Newberry) Berry · 

Musophyl urn complicatum Lesquereux 

Peltandri ites davisii Wodehouse 

Smilacipi s eclrinatus Wodehouse 
48 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 1934-35 

Spermatophy'ta-Continued. 

Smilacipites herbaceoides Wodehouse 

Smilacipites molloides Wodehouse 

Populus wilmattae Cockerell 

Salix cockerell Brown, n.sp. 

Salix discoloripites Wodehouse 

Salix longiacuminata Knowlton 

Comptonia insignis ( Lesquereux) Cockerell 

Myri~a . min uta Knowlton 

Myricipites dubius Wodehouse 

Juglans alkalina Lesquereux 

Juglans crossii Knowlton 

Juglans nigripites Wodehouse 

Juglans schimperi Lesquereux 

Hicoria juglandiformis ( Stern)Jerg) Knowlton 

Hicoria juxtaporites Wodeho~se 

Hi coria viridifiuminipites W odehouse 

Engelhardtia corylipites Wodehouse 

Alnus speciipites W odehouse 

Betula claripites Wodehouse 

Betula coloradea Brown, n. name 

Carpinus ancipites Wodehouse 

Quercus castaneopsis Lesquereux 

Quercus drymeja Unger 

Quercus utensis Cockerell 

Planera inequilateralis (Lesquereux) Knowlton 

Planera nervosa Newberry 

C~ltis mccoshii Lesquereux 

Momipites coryloides W odehouse 

Ficus mississipiensis (Lesquereux) Berry 

Ficus omballi Brown 

Ficus wyomingiana Lesquereux 

Lomatia acutiloba Lesquereux 

Lomatia coloradensis (Knowlton) Brown 

Banksia comptonifolia Brown, n.sp. 

Banksites lineatulus Cockerell 

Oreodaphne coloradensis Brown, n.sp. 

Oreodaphne lancifolia (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb. 

Oreodaphne vilidifiumensis Knowlton 

Liriodendron psilopites Wodehouse 

Alsinites 'revelatus Cockerell 

Sedum? hesperium Knowlton 

Odostemon eocenia Brown, n.sp. 

Liquidambar callarche Cockerell 

Amygdalus gracilis Lesquereux 

Potentilla? byrami Cockerell 

Chrysobalanus lacustris Brown 

Amorpha utensis Cockerell 

Cassia hesperia Brown 

Cercis tenuinervis (Lesquereux) Brown, n.corulJ. 

Leguminosites lesquereuxiana (Knowlton) Brown, n.comb. 

Mimosites coloradensis Knowlton 

Podogonium americanum Lesquereux 

Ailanthus lesquereuxi Cockerell 

Ailanthipites berryi Wodehouse 

Rhoipites bradleyi Wodehouse 

Rhus balli Brown 

Rhus longepetiolata (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comh. 

Rhus variabilis (Newberry) Knowlton 

Schmaltzia vexans (Lesquereux) Cockerell 

Anacardites schinoloxus Brown 

Anacardites schinus Brown, n.sp . . 

_ Celastrophyllum emarginatum Brown 

Celastrophyllum lesquereuxii Brown 

Maytenus berryi Brown 

Acer lesquereuxii Knowlton 

Tbouinia eocenica Brown 

Spermatophyta-Continued. 

Talisiipites fischeri W odehouse 

Sapindus den toni . J;.esquereux 

Sapindus obtusifolius Lesquereux 

Sapindus winchesteri Knowlton 

Koelreuteria viridifiuminis (Hollick) Brown, n.comb. 

Dodonaea · viscosoides Berry 

!lex coloradensis Brown; n.sp. 

Zizyphus cinnamomoides Lesquereux 

Parthenocissus tertiaria (Lesquereux) Kno\\'lton 

Vitipites dubius Wodehpuse 

Grewiopsis cissifolius Brown 

Tilia crassipites Wodehouse 

Tilia scudderi (Cockerell) Brown, n.comb. 

Tilia tetraforaminipites Wodehouse 

Tilia vescipites Wodehouse 

Firmianites aterrimus Cockerell 

Hibiscus roanensis Brown, n.sp. 

Ochroma murata Brown, n.sp. · 

Sterculia coloradensis Brown 

Ternstroemites viridifiumensis Brown 

Eucalyptus? americana Lesquereux 

Myriophyllum ambiguipites Wodehouse 

Aralia wyomingensis Knowlton and Cockerell 

Andromeda delicatula Lesquereux 

Clethra? lepidioides Cockerell 

Ericipites brevisulcatus Wodehouse 

Ericipites longisulcatus Wodehouse 

Fraxinus fiexifolia (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb. 

Fraxinus wieser Brown, n.sp. 

Syringa coloradea Brown, n.sp. 

Apocynophyllum roanense Brown, n.sp. 

Apocynophyllum wilcoxense Berry 

Apocynospermum coloradensis Brown 

Caprifoliipites viriditluminis vVodehouse 

Sambucus? winchesteri Knowlton 

Viburnum asperum Newberry 

Menthites eocenicus Cockerell 

Oucurbita glandulosa Brown 

Achaenites cichorioides Knowlton 

Phyllites ericoide~ Brown, n.sp. 

Phyllites furcivena Brown, n.sp. 

Phyllites glandiferus brown, n.sp. 

Phyllites juncoides Brown 

Phyllites ouratea Brown, n.sp. 

Phyllites winchesteri Knowlton 

Antholithes dubia Brown 

Antholithes iD?probus Lesquereux 

Antholithes pendula Brown 

Antholithes polemonioides Brown 

Antholithes vitacifiora Brown 

Antholithes, species of 

Carpolithus alabaccus Brown, n.sp. 

Carpolithus caryophylloides Knowlton 

Carpolithus cassioides Brown 

Carpolithus filiferus Brown, n.sp. 

Carpolithus insectoides Brown, n.sp. 

Carpolithus paliuroides Brown, n.sp. 

Carpolithus palmites Brown 

Carpolithus prunoides Brown, n. name 

Carpolithus serratifolius Brown 

Carpolithus vitaceus Brown, n.sp. 

Carpolithus, species of 

Carpites inquirenda Knowlton 

Carpites newberryanus Knowlton 

Oarpites viburni Lesquereux 

Nordenskioldia borealis Beer 
I 

THE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES 

~pennatophyta-Continued. 

Caulinites acanthus .Brown 

Caulinites prehensus Brown 

Rhizocaulon · dichotomum Brown 

Rhizocaulon natans ·Brown 

THE SIGNIFICANT SPECIES OF THE FLORA 

The flora of the ·Green River formation, like most 

fossil floras, contains species whose botanic affinities 

are not positively known. These spe~ie , although recognizable as entities and therefor~ sometimes of value 

as stratigraphic horizon markers, aTe not usually of 

much significance or help toward an interpretation 

of the environmental conditions of the region that 

produced and preserved the flota. After the species 

of doubtful affinity have been subordinated to their 

proper place · in such an evaluation, the Green River 

Hora shows many other species whose affinities are so 

clearly indicated that they can be compared, singly 

or in ecologic groups, with living species and groups. 

If the "law of uniformity", . that the past must be 

understood in the light of the present, is applicable 

to biology as it is to physical geology; this comparison 

will give a general conception of the environment of 

the Green River flor·a. · 

Thallophyta : The Thallophyta, with the exception 

of Phenao.Jcladu.s henclersoni Cockerell and the indefiI!ite leaf-spot fungi included under Sphaerites, have 

been studied chiefly by Bradley. 5 They ar~ bacteria, 

!-ipores of fungi, and algae. The bacteria, fungi, and 

non~reef-forming- green and blue-green algae occur 

locally in beds of unusually rich oil shale and chert 

concretions in the middle and upper members of the 

Green River formation at localities that were near the 

eenter of the basin of deposition. The amount of organic matter in the oil shales decreases gradually to 

nothing shoreward. All the .lithologic and structural 

evidence collected by Bradley suggests that the water 

jn which the microfauna and .microflora lived fluctuated periodically from a broad areal expanse with a 

central depth of 75 or 100 feet to residual, shallow, 

saline, stagnant ponds and . pools. 

The reef-forming algae occur principally in reefs 

in the shore phases of the basal member of_ the Green 

River formation. The reefs were formed at a time 

when the waters were clear, fresh, and stable-'--'-Conditions in strong contrast with those under which subsequently the rich oil shales were deposited. 

Bryophyta : Lejewnea eophila Cockerell is the only 

member of the Bryophyta yet identified from the 

Green River formation. It is of uncertain significance. 

Pteridophyta: The Pteridophyta are represented by 

7 ferns and 2 horsetails. Ly,qodiwm k(lfU)lfwssii Heer 

5 Bradley, W. H., Algae reefs and oolites of the Green River forma· 

tion : U.S. Geol. Survey }'rQf. Paper 154, pp. 203-223, 1929 ; Origin 

and microfossils of the oil shale of the Green River formation of 

Colorado and Utah: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 168, 1931 , 

RIVER FLORA 49 

is undoubte ly a climbing Lygodiu'ln. The Equise:-

tums· are tr "e horsetails and indicate moist situations 

in .thickets, on stream or lake shores, and in freshwater swa ps. A.zolla berry Brown, n.sp., may have 

had habits similar to living species of A.zolla that 

sometimes over large surfaces on-fresh, · still waters. 

Spermato hyta: Until recently · the seed plants of 

the Green iver flora have been · known only from 

fo?sif re1na ns ·of · their flowers, fruits, and leaves. 

Now: with he studies of . the fossil pollens initiatBd 

by Bradley and elaborated by ·vVodehouse,6 there is 

accumulati g important, new evidence that helps to 

check many deterrninations of the. megascopic remains. 

Wodehouse records pollen .of 43 species, the names of 

which- can e distinguished easily ·in the list of the 

recognizabl species of . the Green River · flora (pp. 

4 7 ~9) by t e presence of the suffix "pites ", signifying 

"'pollen." omparison of the pollen list with the list 

of megasco ic elements reveals·a number of differences 

that may b due to at least three factors. First, the 

pol~en list is, . according to W odehouse, far from a 

complete r presentation bf the flora. Second, the 

pollens ide tifi~d ·are largely of the· wind-transported 

kinds and ndoubtedly include species from p:ants 

growing in localities so situated with respect to the 

area of dep sition that no other remains of those plants 

wou~d be I kely to get into the fossil record. Such 

pollens fro 1 remote areas might be in serious discord 

with the re t of the flora in respect to climatic indications. Thi d, the oil shale · containing the fossil pollens stu die by W odehouse cam~ from the 1niddle 

member of the Green River formation, which was 

deposited t a time when the lake waters were at a 

low stage, wing presumably to desiccation in a dry 

climate. e megascopic flora, on the other . hand, 

came princ pally ·from the lower ·and upper members 

of the for ation, which wer.e-deposited when the climate was oister. In consequence, the lower and upper· fl~ras Te not · gr~atly ·dissimilar, but they are 

somewhat ifferent .from the middle ·flora, which in~ · 

eludes, for example, pollens of Ephedra, notably a 

dry-climat plant. 

Gymnos erms: W odehouse reports two cycads, Oycadipites p . . and Dioonipites sp. No megascopic 

cycad ren1 ins have yet been identified in the Green 

River for ation unless the fragment Danaea eoloradensis Kn wlton, described as a _ fertile fern pinnule, 

is a sporop yll of an extinct cycadlike plant. Pollens 

from 3 spe ies of pine are recorded, Pinus soopwlites, 

P. strobipi es, and P. tuberculipites, whereas the only 

remains of Pinu.'l are a 3-needled cluster, 

Brown, n.sp., and pieces of undescribed 

fossil woo Picea gr-andivesoipites may be pollen 

s Wodehouse R. 1'., 'l'Prtiary pollen, 1, Pollen .of the living representatives of he Green River flora: 'I'orrey Bot. Club Bull. , vol. 59, 

pp. 313-34'0, ls. 20-22, 1932 ; Tertiary pollen, 2, The oil shales of 

tile Eocene G een ·River formation: Idem, vol. 60, pp. 479-524, 19q&, 
50 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 1934-35 

from the same species of spruce that produced the seed 

Pi9ea pinifrwct1JJs Brown. The only other large gyinnospermous object yet identified is the leaf Taiffites 

eocenica Brown. This may have come from one of 

the . remaining gymnospermous plants identified by 

\¥ odehouse from their pollen as T aa:odiwm hiatipites, 

Glyptostrobus v·acu,ipi-tes, Abies concoliprites, Abietipiies ant,iquus, Oedripites eoceniCYJS, Tswga viridifluminipites, and Cunninghamia concedipites. Ephedra 

eo(;enipites is a unique pollen not yet supported by 

megascopic remains from the Green River -,-formation. 

Angiosperms: Monocotyledons-'-Wodehouse's Potmrwgeton lwlliokipites is corrobbrated by a fruiting 

head, Potamogeton 1"Wb1.1J8 Brown, n.sp. A rurndo 

psewdogoepperti Berry, . A. rep'erta Lesquereux, and 

Cyperaoites haydenii (Lesquereux) Kn~wlton look like 

fragments of grass or sedge leaves, but no distinctive 

significance can be attached to them. W odehouse 

lists 2 palms, Arecipites punctatus and A. rugosus, 

whereas there are 3 species known from foliage reJnains, Geon01nites lwydJenii (Newberry) Knowlton, 

8abalites florissanti (Lesquerenx) Berry, and 8. powetlii (Newberry) Berry, and 1 probable seed, C(J)rpob"thus p:al1nites Brown, n .sp. M usophylvurJn oO?npUcatwn Lesquereux, while recognizable as a fossil species, is of doubtful identity. Peltandripites davisii, 

Smilacipites eohinatus, 8. he1'baceoides, and S . nwllo·ides, reported by Wodehouse, are not represented by 

other remains. 

Dicotyledons: The willows are represented by 1 

pollen species, Salix discoloripites, and 2 leaf species, 

S. cockerell Brown, n.,sp., and 8. longiacu?Tdnata 

Knovvlton. vVodehouse reports Myricipites dubius; 

the Myricaceae are otherwise represented by C O?nptonia insignis (Lesquereux) Cockerell and Myrica 

minrwta J(nowlton, but I regard the last two and 

especially the C01nptonia as of doubtful identity. 

\Vodehonse has 1 walnut pollen, Juglans nigripite~. 

wherea.s the leaf remains suggest 3 species, J. alkalina 

Lesquereux, J. crossii Knowlton, and J. schin~peri 

Lesquereux. There are 2 hickory pollens, H icor'ia 

juwtaporvites and H. viridiflwrninipites, but only 1 leaf, 

Tl. juglandiforrnis (Sternberg) Knowlton, has been 

identified. In addition to the foregoing species, the 

.luglandaceae are further represented, according to 

\Vodehouse, by the pollen species, Engelhardtia 

r:or·ylipites. 'l'o ,support the evidence of the betulaceous pollens, Alnus speC'iipites, Betula claripites, and 

Carpinus ancip-ite8, there is one leaf species, B etula 

coloradea Brown, n. name, which apparently falls 

within this group. The Ulmaceae contribute 1 pollen, 

"11 on·dpites coryloides, and 3 leaves, Celtis 1nccoshii 

Lesquereux, Planer a inequilateralis (Lesquereux) 

Knowlton, and P. nervosa Newberry. The M_agnoliac~ae are represented by the pollen Liriodendron psilopit~8 hut not yet by _ any other remains. Ailanthu.~ is 

represented with certainty by the pollen ,Ailanthipites 

berryi and the seed Ailanthrus lesquereuwi Cockerell; 

' but no undoubted Ailanthus leaves have been identified. W odehouse identifies 1 sumac pollen, Rhoipites 

bradleyi; this is in contrast to 4 leaf species, Rhus 

balli Brown, R. longepetiolata (Lesquereux) Brown, 

n.comb., R. variabilis (Newberry) Knowlton, and 

.Sclvmaltzia vewans (Lesquereux) Cockerell, and 2 

seeds,, Anacard'ites schinolowus Brown and A. schinus 

Brown, n.sp. A ~pecies of sapindaceous pollen, 

Talisiipites fischeri, may be related to the leaf, 

T houinia eocenica Brown ; and five other leaf and 

fruit ,species of Sapindaceae are reported to be present-Sapind1J)8 dentoni Lesquereux, S. obt'UJ8ifolius 

Lesquereux, S. winohesteri Knowlton, Dodonaea 

viscosoides Berry, Koelreuteria viridiflwminis (Hollick) Brown, n.comb. Wodehouse recognizes 1 fossil 

pollen of the Vitaceae, Vitipites dubiws, but discredits'its having any relation to the leaf, Parthenocis8UB tertiaria (Lesquereux) Knowlton. The presence 

of some member or members of the Vitaceae seems to 

be further attested by a flower, Antholithes vitaciflora 

Brown; a seed, Carpolithus vitctAceus Brown, n.sp.; 

and a tendril, Caulinites prehensus ~rown. The , 

.lindens are represented by the 3 pollens Tilia crassipites, 1'. tetraformminipites, and T. vescipites, and 

by 1 leaf, T. scudderi (Cockerell) Brown, n.comb. 

The only pollen representati-ve of the ,family Haloragidaceae is Myriophyll ~ 17~b gu pit s, which is 

unmatched by megascopic remains. W odehouse reports 2 pollen species of Ericaceae, Ericipites brevisulcatws and E. longisulcatus, but will not ally them 

with Andr01neda de~icat ula Lesquereux or Clethra? 

lepidioides Cockerell. The leaf Phyllites eriaoirles 

Brown, n.sp., though suggestive of ericaceous affinity, 

is actually of uncertain identity. The fossil pollen 

Oaprifoliipites viridiflum.inis is regarded by Wadehouse as a generalized type and may not belong to the 

. Caprifoliaceae; nevertheless the probability that it 

does so belong is strengthened by the presence of a 

flowei·, Sambuaus.tt winchesteri Knowlton, a seed, 

0 arpites viburni Lesquereux, and a leaf, Viburnum 

asperum Newberry. 

In addition to the species already reviewed there 

remain a few that have been identified rather clearly 

on the basis of leaves or fruits, but are not represented 

by pollens in Wodehouse's list. The bur-reed family, 

Sparganiaceae, supplies the species Sparganiurn antiquum (Newberry) Berry. No Populus pollen is listed, 

but the leaf Populus wilmattae Cockerell has the appearance of authenticity, except that it also strongly 

resembles some of the American Cretaceous and Tertiary forms variously called Populus, Grm.via, Grewiopsis and Trochodendroides. The evidence for calling 1nany of these Oercidiphyllwm. is. strong, but thus 

far no characteristic seeds have been found. It seems 
TRE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES FLORA 51 ., . ., 

strange that .no oak pollen has been found,' whereas soinetini:es ~- 'well water~d~ The:. 

three species' of leaves have been -identified, Q'?-tercus . ecologic g oup of species com'prisi11g Hicor:l:d, Jugcastaneop-sis Lesquereux, Q. dry11U3ja Unger, and Q. : lans, Liqu ambar, Ailanthus, arid'--1:ilia, i(juP:,ged' l?Y 

utensis Cockerell. These, of course, may be wrongly . its modern eqU,ivalent, suggests that "the Green: River:( 

assigned to Quermt;s. Ficu'8 omballi Brown, with its · flora, with the eiceptio~ of som,e _'conifers, gre·w. at. aii 1 

characteristic intramarginal vein is figlike,- but it also : altitu.de a ove sea. level of prohab(y 'riot mote tha~ 

suggests apocynaceous affinities. The seed Banksites 3,000 feet and very · likely at a considerably_ lower· . 

Uneatul/U8 Cockerell and the leaves Lomatia coloraden- · level. Th Green River formation, now froih 5)000 

sis (Knowlton) · Brown and Banksia comptonifolia to. 10,000 f et above the sea, must therefore ha:'ve been 

Brown, n.sp., indicate the presence of Proteaceae in ; uplifted s veral thousan_d_feet sin<;e the depesition of 

the Green River flora. The Lauraceae are represented : the sedime ts that contain ~he fossil_ flo~a. . 

by 3 described species of Oreodaphne, 1 of which, 0 .· ' It is too premature: to state definitely what change::, 

coloradensis Brown, n.sp., seems to be correctly as"' : there were in the fl~ra of·,the· Green River . formation 

signed, at least to the family. Orlo·stemon eooemia . basins bet een early. and late Green Riv~r tim~ .. That_ 

Brown, n.sp., is clearly a barberry. Liquidwmbar is ; statement waits upon further collections and study. 

identified with certainty on the basis of both leaves 

and fruit. The legumes are represented by a number 

of different leaves and fruits, but their exact reference 

i:5 conjectural. The maple leaf Acer lesquereumi 

Knowlton is not ·yet supported by fruits of the characteristic samara type. The variable leaves of Zizy-. 

phws cinnamomoides Lesquereux may represent Zizy-: 

p hus or some other related rhamnaceous form. The 

leaves cal,led Eucalyp·tus '! americana Lesquereux are 

readily identifiable, but no fossil Eucalyptus fruits 

have yet appeared to confirm the identifica'tion, and 

the leaves niay therefore represent some other genus 

and family, possibly some apocynaceous form. The 

Apocynaeeae are assumed to be present in the Green 

River flora on the basis of several kinds of leaves and 

one fruit, Apocynospermum coloradensis Brown. The 

leaves called Aralia wyomingensis Knowlton and: 

Cockerell are distinctive objects, but their botanic 

assignment seems a little doubtful to me. Frawinu8 

flexifolia (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb., and F. wrie8er 

Brown, n~sp., may be ashes but no Frawinus fr~its 

ha:ve yet been identified. 

The Green River formation locally contains silicified 

logs, some of which are . covered with fossil algae. 

These fossil woods represent both gyrp.nosperms and 

angiosperms, but they have not yet been studied in 

sufficient detail to warrant publication of more than 

this brief note of their existence. 

The remainder of the leaf, flower, fruit, and other 

fossil fragments not mentioned in the foregoing discussion constitutes a reservoir of more or less recognizable objects from which as more collections ~ccumulate~ evidence may be drawn to support and make-cent:ain the identification ~f species now considered doubtf\}F or ··only partially characterized. 

'_'This survey pf . the :.Green River flora show~ that 

the ' species that may be regarded as correctly aUo.;. 

cated botanically a,nd as indicative of climate, latitude, altitude~ soils, insola~ion, and general ·ecology 

substantiate previously expressed opinions that this 

flora inhabited a warm-temperate region that , was 

58868-~4-2 

SYSTEMATIC DESCRIPTIONS 

RHODOMELACEAE : ; . ,~· 

Phenacocladus hendersoni Cockerell 

Pl~te 8, figure ;l · 

Phenacoola.a s henaersoni Cockerell, Torrey:f, vol. 26, no. 6. 

. p. lli fig. on p. 112, 1926. , .. , · -

The specimen figured here agrees with the types 

described and fig11red by Cock~rell, but the .details 

· are not as clear as ln those specimens. · Cock~rell as-· 

· .signed thi species provisionally to the marine algae, 

Rhodomel ce'ae. That it belongs to tliis iamily seems 

only remo ely probable to m~ . . Jt may not even be 

an alga, b t something in an entirely different group, 

as, for exa ple~ a sp~cies of fine le~ved Myriophyllum 

,. or Utricul ria. Whatever_· these objects represent they 

can at lea t be .recognized easily. . ,. ft • ' d 

Occurrenc : On Parachute · Creek,} . 10 wi~es north of Grand. Valley, Colo · . · . · 

Figured s ecimen in United States· National Museum. : ' . ~ ; ., 

SP'HAERIAC'EA-E . · 

-: rlt 1 

Sphaerites, species of . ;., .~ 

Spheria. my icae Lesquereux; " U.S. · Geol. and -Geog. Survey 

Terr. Ann. Rep-t. foF 1872, p. 390, 1873 ;. U.S. Geol. Survey . err~ Rept:, vol. 7, p. 34, pl. 1, fig. 4, 1~78. 

Spha.erites myricae Lesquereux. M:eschi'nell~, ·syii!)ge '' fungorun fossilium, p . . 23, 1892. · "< · 

Oa.e-nomyoes etttc~lyptae· . Knowlton, u.s. Geol. Surv ~ Prc.f. 

Pape 131, p. 148, .. pl.' 36, figs. ~ 8.; ·9·; 1923 . · .. , :. ·~~ (.: ~ ~ 

Oaenomyoes sa.pindicola. Khowlton, idem, p, 148, p-L . 361 <ff$ io. 

(Ja,enomyoes pZanerae Bro'*n, . u.s. Geol. .S,-qrvey ,P,roC .pe1· 

, 154, n, 281, 19291• !rf\. ' : . ". . . . . < :,.

1 

~. ' -- - . . ~ ,~;' '~ . f--. , 

. Inasmu as the ·1;mpposed leaf-spot rungj listed i:n 

the synon my cannot, as the, authors admi~; be distinguished from one another; I prop~se to gr~upthese 

spots on s eciinens· from the Gre~n ~iver :formatio11 

under one esignation. I do not see how the multipli ~ . 

cation of pecies of this sort helps the progress of 

paJeobota y. 
t ! : .~ r 

52 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 19 3 4-:-3 5 

. Undoubtedly leaf-spot fungi on species of living 

Myrica, EucalyptUs, SapindUs, and Planera might be 

~~ntified as *ndividual sp-ecies. With respect to indist~n,guishable fossil forms, however; there is no argumen.t except inrerence for distinction of species. Such 

in'fe{ences, it seem·s to me, are pertinent in the discusio~ '?f e!fch new occurrence, but they do not justify 

th~ cluttering up of paleobotanic literature with 

nonselecti~ e names. . :·. ... 

POLYPODIACEAE 

Aspleniu~. 6Iignitic1,1m Berry 

Plate 8, figures 3, 4 

A.s~lenium eoligniticum ·Berry, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

165, · p. 62, pi. S, figs. 2--4, 1930. (See synonymy and 

discussion. ) 

The fragments figured here seem to represent the 

species described by Berry from deposits of about the 

same age i,n the Wind_ River Basin of Wyoming. 

These specimens show a strong midrib and numerous 

more or less. Closely spaced veins, most of which fork 

near t~e_ midrib. The margin is irregularly serrate. 

In the· absence of sori it is difficult to assign such 

specimens to a specific genus. 

Oc~rrence: Clear Creek, sec. 33, T. 4 S., R. 100 W., 35 miles 

northwest of De Beque, Colo. (fig. 3) ; first ridge south of Ute 

Trail, Roan· Plateau, 30 miles northwest of De Beque, Colo. 

(fig·, 4) . . 

Figured specimens in United States National Museum. 

SALVINIACEAE 

.. 'I Azolla berry Bro!'n, n.sp . 

Plate 8, figure 2 

This specimen does not show any 'clearly defined 

fruiting boqies, sporocarps, but the· form and foliage 

nre charact¢ristic of Azo?la. The plant is a pinnately 

branched Jrregular stem 3 centimeters long with 

hranches 0.5 centimeter long covered with small imLricated, 2'-lcbed, elliptic leave~ less than 1 millimeter 

long. F~lame~1ts that appea~ to be rootlets are 

faintly discernible along the stem. Darker portions 

on 'the leaves may repres~nt fruiting bodies, but these 

~:re ·• ~p~efinite: This . species ci~an be compared with 

tn e ::)iying A. · filiewloides · L~1narc~, which ranges 

fr o11(Cali~orni~ to Chile. A~qlla is a genlis of float~ 

ing-pt~ridophytes inhabiting still; fresh waters, sometiinM dovering large surfaces. ~: There are five specie..s 

()f -Jit1e ' g:eograiJhic distributitfh. · 

~~i is the .earliest known -'.Alizo?za: ·: Berry 7 has de5e~ilie~' · A.z~lla · tertiaria !rum the · upper Miocene 

Eimekl~la f6rn1ation near ![awthorne, Nev. - ~ . ) ' II<·'-: '~--:· . ., - ·: ( • j ,-t 

,, BerJ.:Y :. E. W., The flora of the Esmeralda formation in western 

N~vad,li' : u.s. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 72, art. 23, p. 4, 'pl. i., ·figs. 9, 10, 

t~7; t' ' . -t(• \ 

(, 

Occurrence : On east point of first ridge south of Ute Trail, 

Roan Plateau, 30 miles northwest of De Beque, Colo. 

Type .in United States National Museum. Named for Prof. 

E. W. Berry, of the Johns Hopkins University. 

MARATTIACEAE 

Danaea coloradensis Knowlton 

Da;naea ooloradensis Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

131, p. 150, pl. 36, fig. 4, 1923. ~ 

Although Knowlton rather confidently ~eferred this 

fragment to Danaea in 1923, by 1924 he seemed to 

have ·doubts, agreeing, however, with Berry 8 that 

certain specimens of Green River age from the vVind. 

River Basin of Wyoming, described by Cockerell,B 

were the same species, but not Ophioglosswm. To this 

Cockerell 10 replied, admitting that his specimen w.as 

not an Ophioglosswm; that, however, it was also not 

a Danaea; that Danaea coloradensis was apparently a . · 

different thing and, in the absence of proof to. the 

contrary, is to be retained in D(JJ)W£a; and that Knowlton had recognized a similarity of Cockerell's specimen to a problematic organism described but not 

figured by Ward 11 from the Fort· Union formation 

near Glendive, Mont., calling it Xmntholithes prophetious. Cockerell admitted the congeneric affinity ·of 

his ~pecimen with Ward's and renamed his specimen 

Xmntholithes hastatiforrruis, at the. same time intimating his opinjon that the object was an alga b~longing 

· to an extinct family. In 1930 Berry 12 reviewed the 

whole matter and sugg~sted that all these specimens 

might be cycadaceous sporophylls belonging to some 

member of the Williamsoniales and resembling similar remains called Wil,liamsonia marylandioa from 

the Magothy formation of Maryland.13 

Although there are points of resemblance between 

Da7uiea coloradensis Knowlton and the other specimens here discussed, I am disposed to agree with 

Cockerell that there are differences significant enough 

to arouse doubts concerning relationship. It seems 

best .to maintain the status of Danae(]). coloradensis 

Knowlton until completer material is found. In 

spite -of the admittedly · doubtful biological assignmeht of this fossil, there is no . question that it constitutes unique and recogni~able material. 

8 Berry, E. W., O'phioglosw,m hastatiforme. Ckl. not an Ophiogossum: 

Torreya, vol. 24, no. 3, p. 49, 1924. · · · 

.j ° Cockerell, T. D. A., A genuine fossil Ophioglossum: Torreya, vol. 24; 

rw. 1, .P. · ?: with text fig., 1924.. . , . < 

1° Cockerell, T. D. A., The supposed fossil Ophioglossum: Torreya, 

vol. 26, n b(' 1, ·p. 10, 1926. ' · · 

u Ward, L. F., Remark!;f pn an undescribed vegetable <>rganism from 

the Fort Union group of Montana: Am; Assoc. Adv. Sci. Proc., vol. 

37,· pp. 199....:201;iss9; Glimpses of the cosmos, vol. 4, p: 150, 19•15. 

i2 Berry, E. W., A ·flora of Green River age .-in the Wind River Basin 

of Wyoming: U.S. Geol. Survey -Prof. Paper 165_, .p. 78, 1930. 

18 Berry, E. W., Upper Cretaceous, p·. 769, pl. 51, flgs. 5·, 6, Maryland 

Geol. Survey, 1916. 

·,;) 
THE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES OF THE GR EN RIVER FLORA 53 

PINACEAE 

Pinus ball Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 8, figure 5 

The only record of Pinus from the "Green River 

formation, with the exception of pollen grains, is this 

?_-needled cluster. The leaves are 2.5 centimeters 

long, are recurved slightly, and are held together 

loosely at the· base. The sheath is lacking. Modern 

pines with deciduous sheaths include the soft pines 

a:nd one pitch pine, P. cluih'IJJahuama. Of the soft pines, 

the group of pinons or nut pines, · P. parrry!mna, P. 

mbroid s, and P. ed1J)lis, is characterized by having 

deciduous-sheathed 2- to 4-needled clusters. This 

~os il species may therefore belong to the pinon group 

f pines. 

Occurrence : Between Carr and Brush Creeks, 30 miles 

northwest of De Beque, Colo. 

Type at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, 

College Station, Tex. Named for Prof; 0. M. Ball. 

SPARGANIACEAE 

Sparganium antiquum (Newberry) Berry . 

Brasenia? arntiqua. Newberry, U.S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 5, p. 

514, 1882; U.S. Geol. Survey Mon. 35, p. 93, pl. 68, fig. 

7, 1898. 

Pontederites h-esperia Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

131, p. 154, pl. 36, fig. 6, 192'3. ' 

Spargarnium ·wntiq11Al!m (Newberry) Berry, Bot. Gaz., vol. 78, 

pp. 342-348, figs. 1-7, 1924; U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 165, p. 64, p. 65, fig. 5 ; pl. 8, fig. 5, 1930. 

Ponteiterites thecoides. Hollick, Torrey Bot. Club Bull., vol. 56, 

p. 94, pl. 2, fig. 1, 1929. 

The venation and general form of P ontederites 

thecoides Hollick are identical with those of P. hesperia Knowlton, which Berry has called Sp(Jff'ga:tniwm 

antiqurtmn. 

POTAMOGETONACEAE 

Potamogeton rubus Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 8, figure 6 

The specimen shows a head of aggregated nutlets 

having the outline and habit of modern Potamogetons. 

rhis head is 1 centimeter long, elongated rather th~n 

globular, and is composed of a dozen or more nutletp. 

These nutlets are- lobed and show the apical protuberance characteristic of potamogetons. 

Occurrence: Cliff on east side of Carr Creek, 3 miles above 

'Highmore, Colo. 

Type in United- States National Museum. 

GRAMINEAE 

Ar¥ndo reperta Lesquereux 

.Ar undo r eperta Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. and Geog. Survey Te-~r. 

Bull., vol. 1, p. 384, 1875 [1879]; idem, Ann. Rept. for · 

1874, p. 311, 1876; U. S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 

7, p. 87, pl. 8, figs. 6-B, 1878. 

Knowlton, U.S. q.eol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, p. 152, 1923. 

Knowlt n discussed the status of this species and admitted its unsatisfactory diagnostic characters. The 

feature th t seems to justify its retention as a species 

!s the clus er of seeds shown in Lesquereux's fig~re 6-. 

These see may or may not have had any organi~ connection wi h the" stem" or" leaf" ori \vhich they now 

lie. Thi~ ' stem " or " leaf " is si'milar to th~i identified as A do goeppe_rti, now called Arundo P'f!eUdOgoepperti Berry.14 Knowlton on page 140 first rejected this species from -the Green River flora and·(then 

on page 43 regarded ·it as possibly · identical ·~with 

Arundo r perta. If the na~e A. !eperta w~te r~

stricted t the seeds and A. p seud'i/goe·pperti· to :·t~1e 

" ste~s " r " leaves " the difficulty · 1V01ild b<: reso-lv~d. 

Indefinite as these remains· may bl biolbgically .~ they 

neverthele s can be recognized' ' as fossils and cith b'e 

assigned t the above makeshift. species. 

These 

in length 

2 to3ce 

SALICACEAE · 

· Salix cockerell Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 9, figures 6--10 

-. ' 

ell-preserved linear-lanceolate leaves ~ange 

rom 10 to 15 centimeters and in widt)J. .from 

timeters. The apex is acute and the· ba~~ 

rounded. The petioie is relatively ~hort 

The teeth of the finely serrate margin are 

minutely landular. A strong ·midrib divid(}s the leaf 

symmetri:plly~ The secondaries. are D:Umerous1 ~or~ 

or less uni ormly spaced, and camptodrome. Between 

the promi ent secondaries appear minor, shorter j~termediaries, which fail tq reach. as f~r as the· marfsin. · 

Except . hat this species, has a mo~e. elongate \form 

and more umerous secondaries, it might well be. id.en'-

tical with aJ!ix inquirenda Knowlton/ 5 now, how€ver, 

regarded s a poplar by , Berry.16 ·It may also · be 

compared with . Salix varians Goeppert and, Saliq; 

8chimperi Lesquereux, from the Mascall and Cherry 

Creek bed. respectively in ~he John Day a~in,, Oreg. 

The disti ction of . willows frorn poplars _on··.the basis 

of leaf re ains alone is admittedly difli~ult ;lJl~ . of~~n 

impossibl S aliw oockerell is remark_abiy like a p.umber of liv ng American willows but p~rtiGularly _like 

S. lasiand ~ Bent?am, of the western, Unit~~States.·; · 

Oecurren e: Head of Salt Wa~h, Roan Platea~, 30 miles 

' northwest f De Beque, C'olQ. , . , 1 

ypes (e cept fig. 10, which is ~t the Univer·sity ~i Color.ad~h 

in the Uni ed States Nationaf Museum. Named fdr · Ji o~. 

T. D. A. C ckeren. · ;- . · :·· ,:,·-~·..-) ·- '<.J';t !" .·· ... } .t 'i·.') I" 

a -Berry, ID W ., The Upper Cretac~~us and Eocene floras of "'S~tith, 

Carolina and Georgia: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 84, p. 134, pl.' 24, 

fig. 7, 1914. - .... , . L ; . .·~ ~-~-

15 Knowlto , F. H., Flora of , the La tali formation: •U.S. Geol. 

Survey Prof. Paper ·140, p. 32, pl. 11, figs·. 1; 2; 1926. · -,, ·-· 

1 '

3 Berry, E W., A Miocene flora from Gr~nd Coulee, ·Wash:: P S~ 

Geol. S~rvey r,of. )?aper 170, p. 35, 1931. p,-,.r'f(!nf 
SHORTER ' CONTRIBUTIONS TO ' GENERA:L GEOLOGY, 1934-35. 

Salix longiacuminata Knowlton 

Plate 8, ·figures _7, 8 

Salim Zongiacuminata Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

131, p. 155, 1923. 

Myrica sp; Knowlton, idem, p. 158, pl. 40, fig. 13. 

Banksia· oockereUi Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 154, 

. ~: 286, pl. 72, fig. 7, 1929. . 

Kno"wlton's description of this species was not accompanied by illustrations, but in 'the collections of 

the United States National Museum I found a specimen that he had . marked for i,llustration. It checks 

with ~he description and is undoubtedly the type on 

which;; the- descript~on was based. In 1929 I described a leaf as Banksia coakerelli which I now find 

is identical ·with Saliw longiacuminata. Knowlton's 

Myrica sp. also belongs here. 

Occurrence: On Clear Creek, sec. 33, T. 4 S., R. 100 W., 30 

miles northw'est of De · Beque, Colo. 

Type and figured specimens in United States National 

Museum. 

MYRICACEAE . 

Myrica minuta Knowlton 

Plate 9, figures 1, 2 

Myrica ~uta Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper '131, 

. p. 157, pl. 37, fig. 12, 1923. 

Comptonia insignis (Lesquereux) Cockerell 

, Myrica insi gni s Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., 

vol. 7, p. 135, pl. 65, figs. -7, 8, 1878. 

Myrica alkalina Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept .. 

vol. 8, p. 149, pl. 65-A, figs. 10-15, 1883. 

Comptonia insign,is Cockerell, Colorado Univ. Studies, vol. 3, 

. ; p. 173, 1906; Am. Mus. ·Nat. Hist. Bull., vol. 24, p. 81, 

1908. 

Berry, Am. Naturalist, vol. 40, p. 499, 1906. 

Lesquereux's species Myrica alkdlina was included 

with Oomptonia insignis, from Florissant, by Berry 

in 1906. A study of the types now included under 

(}_ omptonia insignis suggests to me the variable 

leaflets of K oelreuteria and Dipterodendron rather 

than Oomptonia. Further, I am not so certain that 

Llfyrica alkalina should be included with Oomptonia 

insignis. 

JUGLANDACEAE 

J uglans alkalina Lesquereux 

Juglans alkalina Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. and Geog. Survey 

Terr. Bull., vol. 1, p. 382, 1875 [1876] ; Ann. Rept. for 

1874, p. 308, 1876; U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 7. 

p. 288, pl. 62, figs. 6-9, 1878. 

, F icus alkalina Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., 

vol. 8, p. 164, pl. 44, figs. 7-9, 1883. 

Juglans winchesteri Knowlton, U.S. GeoL Survey Prof. Paper 

131, p. 160, pl. 38, fig. 5, 1923. 

~alia: ·lmea!f"is Knowlton, idem, p. 155, pl. 37, fig. 8. Fieus alkrilina Lesquereux,. from the same locality 

These ·portions of twigs bear the leaves of Myrica as Juglans alkalina Lesquereux, was, however, not 

minwfa. In the axils of the· leaves are buds or fruits, included in the Green River flora by Knowlton. On 

but their details cannot be clearly distinguished. Bet- examination of the type specimens I find that both 

ter material will throw much-needed light on the species are identical. · The leaf described by Knowlstatus and relationship of those forms in the Green ton as Juglans nc"'esteri resembles J. alkalina so 

Riv~r and Florissant flora~ called 'Myrica, Planera, closely ~hat- I hesitate to draw a distinction between 

Ulmus, and Fagopsis. Knowlton's Saliw linearis is them. .The only apparent difference is the unusually 

a large leaf of Myrica rninuta. thick petiole in J. winch(3steri, .but this feature may 

Myrica 1ninuta has sharp serrate teeth and can he well be an a.bn<?rmality or a peculiarity due to 

distinguished by this character from the small leaves fossilization. 

of Plame;r:a nervosa, which has crenate rounded teeth.' 

Myrica inuta so close1y resembles the small leaves of Juglans schimperi Lesquereux 

Myriica drymeja of the Florissant lake beds that I Jug:ans sch.imperi Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. and Geog. Survey 

hesitate' to 'draw distinctions between the two species. Terr. Ann. Rept. for 1871, Suppt, p ; 8, 1872; U.S. Geol. 

Soni~ of its larger leaves are like those of Rhu'S varia- Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 7, p. 287, pl. 56, figs. 5-10, 1878. 

bilis, . but they can ·be seoaregated by the fact that the Juglans. occidentali s Newberry; U.S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 5, p. 507, 1882 [18~]; U.S. Geol. Survey Mon. 35, p. 34, pl. 

former ·has a regular secondary :undivided vein for 65, fig. 1; pl. 66, figs. 1--4,' 1898. · 

l:ach7m.arginal tooth, whereas the latter has an irregu- ]!'icus ungeri Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. and Geog. Survey Terr. 

Jar i -yein for each tooth anq that vein usually fo:r:ks·, Ann. Rept. for 1871, Suppl., p. 7, 1872; U.S. Geol. SursendinK branches to subsidj~ry t,eeth.. The latter spe:- vey Terr. Rept., vol. 7, p. 195, pl. 30, fig. 3, 1878; vol. 8, 

· ·· ·1 h · · t d · d · p. 163, pl. 44, figs. 1-3, 1883. c1eS,: a so as conspiCuous 1n ~-:rme 1ary secon ary v~1ns . . , . 

th.a:tt' appear to run into the ' notches between the teeth The typt>s as well as other specimens of the disputed 

tJ£ ha( ~{yide near the notch, sending one branch species listed in the synonymy are before me. Knowlabove ana the other below the notch~ ton 17 attempted to segregate the fhst two species, but 

@(reurrence: 

-: ., · · : · ;· · I c9nfess inability to follow him in the presence of the Head of Kimball''Greek, 30 miles northwest of 

DE{ Beque;: Colo. ~~ 1 

11 Knowlton, F .. H., Revisipn of the flora of the Green River format 

Figured specimens in the ~ited .States National Museulll. , tion: u.s. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, pp. 158-160, 1923. 
THE RECOGNIZABLE , SPECIES OF THE GR RN RIVER FLORA 55 

actual specimens. If extremes of variation were selected, even in the leaves of a living species, several 

instead of one species might be distinguished. Similarly a comparison of Lesquereux's ·figure 5 ( vol. 7, 

pl. 56) of J uglams schim peri and his figure 3 ( vol. · 7; 

pl. 30) of Jj'{cus ungeriJ would seeni to justify the designation of two species. However, between these two 

extremes there is a series of specimens that clearly ' 

links them together .. What, for example, distinguishes : 

Newberry's figur·e 4 (Mon. 35, pl. 66) of Ju/glans oco:identalu from Lesquereux's figure 6 ( vol. 7, pl. 56) 

of J. schimperi and both these. from Lesquereux's fig- 1 

ure 1 (vol. 8, pl. 44) of Ficus unqeri? Of the JugZans 

species Knowlton says: "The only way o:f distjn- , 

guishing them is by the long, narrow, sharp-pointed ' 

leaflets with a round equal-sided base and slight!~ : 

more acute-angled secondaries in Juqlans schimper{, i 

and the broader; less acuminate leaflets with unequal8ided base and very low-angled secondaries in Jug'lams 

occidentalis." Using the distinction between the acute . 

and . blunt apex, how shall Lesquereux's figure 5 (vol. 

7, pl. 56) of J. schimperi be separated from Newberry's ; 

figure 1 (Mon. 35, pl. 65) of J. occidenta:lis? So far 

as the equal or unequal sided base is concerned, why 

did Knowlton retain both Newberry's figures 2 and 4 ; 

(Mon. 35, pl. 66) . under J. oocidentalis? Lesquereux's ; 

figures of Fic1))8 ungeri represent large specimens, with ~ 

the exception of figure 2 ( vol. 8, pl. 4'!) . How shall , 

that basal fragm~nt be separated from the similar i 

base of Newberry's figure .4 (Mon. 35, pL 66) of ~Twg- ' 

. lams occidentalis? . The conclusion which thi~ compari- : 

son suggests is . that all the species listed . in the ! 

synonymy are but a single species with ·the usual g'reat i 

variation in foliage that should· be ~xpected. It 1nus~ ; 

be emphasized that in this disGussion I have confined 

myself to specimens from the Green· River formaLtion : 

and have not attempted to dispose · of specimens from ! 

other formations cited in the ,synonymy of' Knqwlt on's : 

paper or in the general. literature. J • 

One other species in the Gre~n ~iv~r; · flora, .·Fic1!8 

omballi Brown/8 whic4 might be · compared with 

,/uglan.s schimpen,- needs to · be commented on here. : 

The figure of that species, unfortunat~ly,)s : not clear, 

but there is sufficient detail to sh ~ tha~ the secondary : 

veins are not broadly camptodrorn'e. n~ar ~P,e, .pargin, ; 

as they are . in J .. schim;peii_, 'bllt ~1 e \. curv : up~ ard ; 

Yery abruptly into loop,s _that :u P;jt~ tQ-,~~form.) a : con- : 

spicuous, slightly irregular, intramarginal vein·. This :· 

leaf, as stated in the description, 'reselribles ·· certain 1 

living species of Fi()Us; but it is al~ ' rem~:tkably like ; 

. some ~pecies of Asclepiadaceae and Apocynac~ae . , 

18 Brown, R. , Additions t o the flora, of the Green Ri;ver forma• 

tion: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof, Paper 154, p. 285, pl. 72, fig. · 2, .!H2!). 

. ~- .. tL .. 

BETULACEAE. 

Betula colorade.a Brown, n. name . 

Betula eoa nriaa Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. per 154. 

p. 28 · , pl. 71, fig. 6, 1929. Not the same as B .. eocenica 

'Et tin shausen, K. A.kad. Wiss. Wien Sitzungsber., vol. 

28, p. 518, pl. 1, fig. 1, 1858. 

.·.:·. N·_o ·· ·.·ew ,speciinens o. f this· species have. ap. pe.:-arec.l in 

recent . c llections. There is a possibility t~at 

·orewiop's cissifoli'l1)8 Brown 19 may be. a )arge form 

o~ B. colpradea. · · 

FAGACEAE 

Quercus castaneopsis Lesquereux ,. ... ' 

'Quercus c 

1

staneops-is Lesquereux,O" U.S. Geol. Sur: ·ey ',rerr. 

. · Rept. vol. 8, p. 155, pl. 28, fi~:>. 10, 1883. · 

Quercus aa ·tanoidles Newberry, U.S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 5. 

r; '. ;:: p. 506; 1883; U.S. Geol. Survey Mon. 35, p. 70, pl. 65, 

~.. fig. 6', 1898~ .. . . 

,Ilex'! aftinfl.l.l· L. esquereu. x, U.S. ~eol. and Ge~g . . S.urvey .Terr. 

A.nn. Rept. for 1871, Suppl., p. 8, 1872, U.S. G.eol. . Sur-

~ vey err. Rept., vol. 7, p. 270, pl. 50, figs. 2, 3, 1878. 

·izex macul4ta Lesquereux, 'Q.S. Geol. Survey 1'err. Rept., l. 

c ... ' .. 8, p. 1186, pl. 44, fig. 5, 1883: 

. :.·. The specimens on which the flew species of;,the syri-

'onomy were based are frag~entary, but their" texture~ 

venation, and marginal dentition where preserved in-

·dicate that they are small leaves of Qwerc'us cdstaneop-

·.sis'. The specific designation affinis, being preempted, 

cannot be used with Q11Jerou.rs. 

Querc'us drymeja Unger 

Plate si ~ure ·9 

' Quercus drymeja Unger, Chl().ris protogaea, p . . 113, pJ.. 32, figs, I .• 1-4, 1847, • ' ' ' 

Lesquer eux, U.S. Geol. Surve:y Ter~. Rept., vol, .8, p. ~54, 

pl. 28, fig. 12, 1883.. . . 

The speci.men·:figured is a linear leaf with few large 

'hooked teeth .on the margin. Few . ~recmdary veins 

.:curve gently from. the midrib into. t hP tN•th. · Finer 

:yenation obscure. 

::· J(nowltori . did .not include this ·species in; his Re-

.'vision of the Flora of th~ GreH1 River·Formation, aJ-

. though he included Querrrus castaneDpsi8 Lesq~ereux 20 

·Both species have a typical Green River mat:r;ix. The 

possibility . that thes.e spe~imens represent the species 

deseribed by Unger fropt the Miocene of southern 

E urope i$ perhaps remo±e> · · ··- · 

,. Occurrence : Head of Kimb.all Cr.ee~. 30. miles nor.th,vest vf ' De Beque, Colo. · · . _ · : - . .. .. ~ _ 

.: Flgured r ecimen in . United States ~a tio ~al • M t;ts~um . 

19 Brown. Jl. w., Additions to· the flora of the Green River formation: U.S. ol. Survey Prof. Paper 154:, p. 290, PL 74, fig. $, 1929. 

20 Lesqner ux . Leo, The Creta~eous and Tertiary floras: U.S. Geo!. 

Survey . Terr, Rept., vol. 8, p. 155, pl. 28, fig; 10, ·1883. · ' 

:.) . . . .. ' . , 1, 1 ¥~ ·~ .·~· ··· · ·: :: . ,: ,·-J;· · ·· · ·' .. _, .. 
56 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 19 3 4-3 5 

ULMACEAE 

Plariera inequilateralis (Lesquereux) Knowlton 

.~Unit s Ina.equi fa.t erali s Lesqu·ereux, U.S. Geol. and Geog. Sur-

. ' vey ·Terr. Bun:; vol. 1, p. 381, 1875 [1876]; Ann. Rept. 

· for 1874, p. 307, 1876'; U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., 

· vol. 7, p. 141, pl. 62, figs. 1-4, 1878. 

Alnus inaequilaterazis Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. 

Rcpt.;_ vol. 8, p. 151, 1883. 

Plan&ra varia.bi lis Newberry, U.S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 5, p. 

- ·- 508, 1882 [i883J; U.S. · Geol.- Survey Mon. 35, p. 83, pl. 

66, figs. 5, 6 [not fig. 7, which is Rhus variabilis (Newberry) Knowlton], 1898. 

P lanera inaequila1terali s (Lesquereux) Knowlton, U.S. Geol. 

. Survey Prof. Paper 131, p. 161, 1923. 

Comptonia ? anornala Knowlton, idem, p. 158, pl. 37, fig. 1. 

'.the· investigator$ who have handled these fossils 

have. expressed do~bts as to the validity of the classifica~i ?s they ,-made. The student latest to express an 

opi11ion is Berry, who sugges~s that Newberry's figure 

n, but not figure~ 6 and ·7 (Mon. 35), is synonymous 

with his ne'y species, Gre·wriopsis wryominqernsis 

· Berry,. 21 Reference to Berry's _figures shows that his 

new pecim s are equilateral leaves. Newberry's 

fig~re 5, however, represents a markedly inequilateral 

ec: n whose venation and marginal dentition are 

_l nliJm . those of Grewiopisis wyomingensis. 

. T~e a$yinmetry of these specimens suggests an alte J,l~~ ve to their being Planera-namely, that they 

may be leaflets of some compound leaf like that of the 

box ·elder, Acer negwndo, which exhibits many variable forms. · · .. · 

Planer a nervosa Newberry 

P:aner_·a ne. ·v,osa. Newberry, U.S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 5, p. 508, 

· · -.. :~ 1882; U.S. Ge·oL Survey Mon. 35, p. 83, pL 67, figs. -2, 3, 

' 1898. 

Myr'i,ca praed;rymeja Kno\vlton, ·u.s. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

131, p. 157, pl. 36, figs. 1-3, 1923. 

$alia:· sp. Knowlton, idem, p. 156, pl. 37, figs. 3, 5. 

balbergi a v iri dittumensis Knowlton, idem,, p. 164, pl. 40, fig. 10. 

!\n examination of the type specimens of the last 

thr~~ sp~cies cited in the synonymy shows tha.t in 

venation, form, and texture they agree with the types 

of Planera nervosa.·; This species can be distinguished 

from Myrica minuta Knowlton ·by its rounded crenate 

teeth, which are .in etrong contrq;st with the pointed 

se_rrate teeth of the latter species. . 

. .-.): 

Ceiifs mccoshii. Lesquereux 

'C,eltis _ -m,.cooshii •Lesquereux, U;S. Geol. Surv,ey Terr. Rept., 

vol. 8, p. 163, pl. 38, figs. 7, 8, 1883. 

Celti S· deb-equensis Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 154, 

~· p. 284, pl. 72, fig. 1, 1929. 

Lesquereux's fig~re 7 is based · on a specimen that 

·has. a Green :&iver matrix ·and' is undoubtedly the materia.! . h~ listed ·as coming from Randolph County 

~erry, E. W., A flora of Green River age in .the Wind River Basin 

of Wyoming: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper l6fS, p. 73, pl. 81 flg. 6; 

pl. 18, figs. 11 2, 1930. · 

(now Uinta County), Wyo. K;nowlton did not il}-

clude this species in his Revision of the Flora of the; 

Green River Formation. · The specimen I describ'ed as 

0 eltis debeqwensis is identical with the type . 

MORAC'EAE 

Ficus wyomingiana Lesquereux 

F i cus wyomingiana Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., 

vol. 7, p. 205; pl. 34, :fig. 3, 1878. 

Cinnamomum scheuchzeri Heer. Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Su;ryey Terr. Rept., vol. 8, p. 38, fig. 6, 1883. 

Knowlton, U.S. Geol. SurYey Prof. Paper 131,. p. 14.0, 

1923. 

A comparison · of the specimens of Lesquereux's 

Fi()Us wyomingiana and Oinnarmomwm scheuchzeri 

shows ,suchstriking similarities in every respect except 

size that I venture to assign them to a single specie~. 

The Oinnamomum schewchz.eri leaf is small and com.-

pares well with those figured originally by Heer 2

2 

from the Miocene lake deposits at Oeningen, Germany. 

That they are the same species, however, i.s perhaps 

unlikely. · ·. 

Lesquereux gave the locality of this leaf as Florissant. The matrix, however, is the grayish-white 

laminated calcareous shale characteristic of and identical with that bearing many other fossil plants -­

cribed to the Green River formation in Uinta ·count}r: 

Wyo. Knowlton rejected this leaf from the · Gre~n 

River flora becau,se, at the time of his writing, the 

type specimen was " not now known to be in exist~ 

ence." It has been found since then. 

The chief· difference between this specieS and ic~s 

mississippiensis (Lesquereux) Berry, formerly ctt:ll~d 

Ficus pseudopopulus Le,squereux, which is also prese~t 

in the Green River flora, seems to be the unusually high 

archip.g of the lateral primaries and the ' absence of 

prominent secondaries in the space between the pr:irnaries in the lower two-thirds of the leaf. This may, 

however, be only a variation from the normal F. 

mis;issippiensis leaf. 

:PROTEACEAE 

Lomatia coloradensis (Knowlton) Brown 

PhyZ~Ues coZoraden.sis Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

131, p. 176, pl. 38, fig. 3, 1923 . 

Pimelea spa.tulata Knowlton, idem,' p. 163,, pl. 37'; fig. 6. 

MeUa; -coZoradlensil8' (Knowlton) Cockerell, U.S. Nat. Mus. 

Proc., vol. 66, art. 19, p. 3, 1925. 

Lwn.atia ob·tusiuscula Cockerell, ide~, p. 7, pl. 1, fig. 4. . 

Lomatia col01'ad.ern.si8 (Knowlton) Brown, U.S. G.eol. Surv€y 

Prof. Paper 154, p. 285, pl. 72, figs. 3-6, 1929'. · 

This is a variable species, as the sylibnymy suggests, 

Pim~le(l) spatulata Knowlton is a single leaflet and 

agrees in every particular with the leaflets of Lomatia 

ooloradensis. By oversight I omitted the third mem113 Heer, Oswald, Flora tertiarja Helvetiae. vol, 2, p. 85, Pl. 91. 

figs. 4-22 ; pl. 92 ; pl. 93, ftge;, l, 5,' 1856, . 
THE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES OF THE GREEN RIVER FLORA 57 

her of the synonymy from my 1929 publication. I · 

confess inability to distinguish between this species · 

and L. terminal-is Lesquereux . of the Florissant lake 

beds. Nevertheless they may be different and are 

tentatively so regarded. 

Banksia comptonifolia Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 9, figu.res 3-5 

Thick linear leaves with coarsely toothed margins. 

Midrib strong. Secondaries numerous, curved upward into the teeth, with intermediaries running to 

the notches between the teeth. Base and petiole not 

present. The apex . is bluntly acuminate. Choice of 

Bmnksia as a generic name for this species may leave 

much to be desired. 

Occurrence : Three miles north of Rifle, Colo. (fig. 3) ; 

mouth of gulch on Roan Creek, 2[) miles northwest of De 

Beque, Colo. (figs. 4, 5). 

Types in United States National Museum. 

LAURACEAE 

Oreodaphne coloradensis Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 10, figures 1, 2 

These are ovate-lanceo.late leaves, 10 to 12 centimeters long and 3 t? 4 centimete;rs wide, with, petioles 

averaging 5 centimeters in length. The apex may be 

blunt or slenderly elongated to .a rounded point. ~he 

base is wedge-shaped, and the margins are entire. The· 

venation is characterized by two . prominent lateral . 

primaries, which arise from the midrib at . a point 5 

millimeters or more above the top of . the. petiole and 

arch upward to join the first secondaries n'ear the margin midway between the base and apex of the leaf. 

The first secmidaries depart from the midrib in the 

lower third of the leaf. Other secondaries few. Finer 

venation a · lacework of horizontal . or di~gonal thin 

veins connecting the larger veins. The texture of the · 

original leaf apparently · was· leathery. · In · g~neral 

·these fossils illustrate 'the characters o·f the l~aves of 

the living la~raceous genera Oi~naJmdmritm:,·~nd Oreodarphne. . · , .. . . .. . 

These ieave~ may be co~pared ~hi~fly ·.;ith Oinnarr. .omu'm affi;ne Lesqu~reux, 23 · ·from · 'the Larit mi~ · at 

Golden, Colo., and with Or ~:drrulfri~ ~. ;bt~sifolia 

Berry ,

24 from the Wilcox flora. ._ Th~ · lcmg~ peti~le; entire margin, and coriaceous texture · ..distinguish· Oreo- · 

daphne coloradensis from other fossils' . described as 

Philadelphw, which have relatively short petloles, · 

sometimes entire but usually with more o~ ).ess tpothed 

23 Lcsquereux, Leo, The Tertiary flora .: U.S. Geol. Survey . Terr. 

Rept., vol. 7, p. 219, pl. 37, figs. 1-5, 7, 1878. 24 Berry, E. W., The lower Eocene floras of southeastern North 

America: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. J?aper ·91, p, 3Ql,. t>l, .80, fig. 1; 

Pl. 83, figs. 2-5 ; pi. 84, figs. 1, 2, :un.~. · 

margins, especially toward the apices, and!. thin. texture. The venation Qistinguishes this sp~ ies from 

others in the Green River flora. 

Occurrence: Parachute Creek,. Colo. (fig. lJ; 8pniles··,vest 

of Highmore, Colo. (fig. 2). 

Type specifens in United States National ~use~m. 

Oreodapbne lancifolia (Lesquereux) Brown; i:i.comb. 

Sapindus zartl.-cifolius Lesquereux, L".S. Geol. Survey Terr. 

H.ept., 'Vol. 8, p. 18-2, pl. 37, fig. 9 [not pl. 32:, fig'S. S4>, 

which are S. denta:'nri Lesquereux], 1883·. . .> 

Or·eoda:.phne kno~w.ztoni Brown, U.S. Geol. Suney-prof. l 'aper 

t54, p. 287, pL 72, fig. 9, 19,29'. 

Sapindus lancifoZius was not included in;the Green 

River flora by Knowlton. Lesquereux gav; the lo t: al~ 

ity of his specimen as Florissant, but an ei~minatio:h 

of the matrix shows that it is the characteristic gray:: 

ish-white laminated calcareous shale· of .the Greeh 

River formation in Uinta County, Wyo., f~pm which 

many othel fossil plants have bE~en described. I find 

that the ve ation and o~her charac~ers of S. ~ancifoli'u s 

are of the s me type as 1n the specimen of Oreodaphne 

knowUoni :f3rown, and I hav~ accordingly'· made th ~ 

new combination. 

BERBERIDACE.AE 

Odostemon eo~enia Brown,. n,s~. 

Plate 13, figurE~ 6 

This characteristic -g.nsymmetrical, thi:k')ea:fiet e~ ~ 

hipits the general ovate form, reticulate venation, ;ahd 

spinous margin of the 'living Odostein:orW; particJ~ 

larly 0. nwtka.nus and 0. aqu4oliW-m, w~ich riu~k'e 

throughout the Rocky Mountain 'region of:the wJ~ 1 

ern United States,· occJipying open ·meadows ~nd sun-

. lit spaces ot hillsides in forests.' This.species diffe~s 

from Odostemon flO'rissantensis Cockerell 25 ---and Od-(;.:. 

stemonsimplew ( N ewb~rry) Cockerell [ B erb~m si1rip.Zew 

Newberry] 26 in having" more and shorte'r margiriai 

spines and a finer texture. · 'Hollick 27 · h~ . described 

OfJoHtemon reynoldsii ·from. the Green Iiiver shales 

·near De ·Beque, Colo. · Aft~r ex:u~inationpf the type 

specirnen'-1 am of the:?opiriion 'that its- venation does 

not justify its assignment to- Odostemon bu_t suggests 

-that of FraaJinus flemfoUa (l.iesquer·eux-) Brown, 

n.com.b. · · :. ,, - -· , , ' _,._ 

· Occlirreric~ ~ Near~ ·the. :top of fiSsile ~hale · ori ~iceanee Creek. 

22, miles ·nort,h · of Rifle,-:Colo; . ' ;. 

Typ:a speci,fnen in United Sta:tes National' Museum. 

- ... • ' ' ' 

25 Co,;kereli, . D. ~. The fossil ·flora of Floriss'ant: Am. Mus. Nat. 

Hist. Bun.; vo . 24,' -p, 91, 1908. · · 26 Newberry, J. S., The later extinct floras of North America: 

u.s. o~~ol. Sur ey M'on. 35, p. 97, pl. 56, fig. 2, i898. ' · 

: 27 Hollick; ; . thur., New species. of .fossil ·pla.nts fro.m the Tertiary 

shales near D Beque, ColQ.: Torrey Bot. Club Bull., vol. 56, p. 95. 

pi. 2, fl.g. 2, 1 29. . ' ' -- '- . -___ __ ---------- --· --- •.. ·-· ~. •i£ 

• t I _'I ,·: .. . 
58 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 19 3 4-3 5 

ROSACEAE 

Amygda.lus gra~ilis Lesquer~ux 

Arnygdalus graciUs Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., 

vol. 8, p. 199, pl. 40, fig. 13 [not figs. 12, 14; 15] ; pl. 44, 

fig. 6, 1883. 

Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, p. 164, 1923. , 

Queraus neriifolia ,Al. Brau.n. Lesquereux, op. cit., p. 155, pl. 

31, fig. 12, 1883. 

Knowlton has discussed the status of this species. 

~1y own search through the collections of the United 

States National Museum has produced only one specimen (fig. 13) referred . to by Knowlton. I have not · 

seen the specimen· (fig. 12') said to be in the Prince- , 

ton University Museum; but refe~ence to the two fig- , 

nres side by side on plate 40 convinces me that they 

are not the same species. The venation is strikingly 

different. Lesquereux gives Florissant as the locality 

for an these specimens, exc'ept figure 6, which is said 

to c~me from Rand.olph [now Uinta] County, Wyo . . 

The matrix of figure. 13 is not a Florissant matrix but 

is identical with the }aminated, light gray, fine-grained, 

compact, calcareous matrix of the Green River formation at the same .locality in Uinta County, Wyo., · 

where Hayden collected the specimen of figure 6 and 

many others described by Lesquereux. 

Figures 14 and 15, which apparently represent , 

fruits, .are obscure, and, as pointed out by Knowlton, 

there is little or no reason for connecting them with 

the leaves or for assigning them to A my gdalus. 

Berry 28 has found similar objects in the Wind River · 

Basin <;_)f Wyoming and synonymizes figures 14 and 15 

.with a new species,. -Pafhrwcarpon lesquere'ltaYii Berry. 

This· seems to be aA very appropriate assignment, as : 

,r)alm~ are represented by fossil leaves in the deposits 

of that basin. Palms are also present in the Green 

River formation; but, as pointed out at the beginning, , 

the specimens of figures 14 and 15 a,re not at hand for ' 

<;omparison as to matrix, and as no similar objects 

ha v.e · been found in the Green Rive~' formation, it 

_seems ·best to exclude Palmoca-rpon lesqu;ereurffii Berry 

for .the present from the floral ljst of that formation. 

· I have before me the specimen called Qu;ereu8 neriifoUa AI. Braun. This was des~ribed by Lesquereux, 

who gave the locality as Randolph (now Uinta) 

County, Wyo. · Knowlton failed to include this species. in his. revision of the Green ·River flora, but its 

matrix is the same as that of Amygdalus g'raoilis, just 

'discussed. This .specimen is poorly preserved; especially }n the m~rginal region, so that only some of the · 

venational details and general outline can be made 

out. · The illustration given by Lesquereux exagger~ 

ates the thickness of the petiole and lower part of the 

._ :gljdrib. , '.faking these points .into consideration, I am 

'p ers~<l€d . that the specimen ~grees bet~e~ . with the . 

28 Ber;y, E. W., A flora of 'Green River age in the Wind River Basin 

9f Wyo.ming : 't],S, GeQl. Survey Prot. Paper 165, p. 67, 1930. 

chara.~ters of Arnygdal!u.s gracilis than with those of 

any Qwer()'IJ)8. The reference of .both specimens to 

A mygdalus is, at best, doubtful. 

LEGUMINOSAE 

Cassia hesperia Brown 

Pia te 12, figures 1-4 

Cassia hesperia Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 154, 

p. 287, pl. 73, fig. 6, 1929. 

Banisteria bradleyi Brown, idem, p. 287, pl. 73, fig. 7. 

With the accumulation of a number of new specimens this species becomes a little more clearly differf\ntiated. There is considerable variation among 

these specimens in respect to size, venation, and 

especially th~ ,shape of the apex, which may be blunt; 

slightly emarginate, or attenuated. The blunter, more 

·ovate forms are somewhat like Legwminosites lesquereumimna Knowlton described below. The formerly 

described species Banisteria' bradleyi Brown also 

belongs here. 

Occurrence: Near head of Ute trail, 30 miles northwest of 

De Beque, Colo. (figs. 1-3) ; west side of Piceance Creek, 

sec. 22, T. 1 N., R. 97 W., Colo. (fig. 4). 

Cercis tenuinervis (Lesquereu:x;) Brown, n.comb. 

. Fiaus tenuinervis Lesquereux, U.S. GeoL Survey Terr. Rept., 

vol. 8, p. 164, pl. 44, fig. 4, 1878. · 

The figure of this fragmentary leaf gives a false 

impression of the specimen's actual characters. Afte;.· 

cleaning up the type specimen I found that the _leaf. 

has a petiole 4 centim~ters long extendi~g to the right 

and downward from the base of the thick vein shown 

in the figure. The thin, broken lateral vein to the left 

of the thick vein is actually a fragment o.f the midrib: 

Thus the thick vein becomes one of the ~aterals o~ 

what was apparently an entire-margined, cord~te leaf. 

The secondary venation is very suggestive .. o~ tha~ in 

the genus Oercis, which seems to me is a mor.e f;itting 

assignment than Ficus. This fossil came .. fr.om Alkal] 

Station, 30 miles nor~h of Green . River~ Wy~: . · · 

Leguminosites lesquereu~lana Knowlton - · · · 

Leguminosites etassioicZes Lesquereux, U.S. Geol, Survey Terr. 

Rept., vol. 7, p. 300, pl. 59, figs. 1-4, 1878. 

Leguminosites lesquereuanana Knowlton, U.S. Geoi. Survey 

Bull. 152, p. 131, 1898. 

So·phora ooloradensis Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

131, p. 165, pl. 37, _figs. 14-16; pl. 40, fig. 11, 19:23.. 

Bumelia coloraden.sis Cockerell, U.S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. 00, 

art. 19, p. 4, pl. 1, fig. 5, 19'2'5. 

Dalbergia knowltoni Cockerell, idem, p. 5, pl. 1,_ fig. 3. 

Lesquereux's figures 1, 2, and 3 represent specimens 

collected above the fish hed at Green River, Wyo, 

Of these, figures 1 and 3 are ·very likely the· same sp~­

cies and seem to be leguminous in character.' , 'Figtir'e 

2 is fragmentary and of doubtful. affinity. Figure 4 
THE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES OF RIVER FLORA 59 

represents a specimen collected, according to Lesquereux, at Spring Canyon, near Fort Ellis, Mont. 

It appears to be different from figures 1 and 3. These 

typ.es, so far as I know, are not now in the collections 

of the United States National Museum. Figures 1 

and 3, however, represent so clearly the character of 

the fossils included in the above synonymy that I venture to place them all in the same species. · That thi~ 

species ··is a legume may well be questioned, because 

a number of other families include species with leavE;s 

or leaflets having characters similar to this species. 

Among these may be mentioned such genera as Mimw-

:sops, Brwmelia, E1.J)genia, Reyn.osia, and Fagara. 

'Vhatever its true affinity rnay be, there is little difficulty in distinguishing this species from others in the 

Green River flora. · 

Mimosites coloradensis Knowlton 

Jlimosites oo~oradensis Knowlton, U.~. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 131, p. 166, pl. 40, figs. 1-3, 1923. 

Mimosites dJeb·eqU'ensi·s Brown, U.S. Geol. Sur-Vey Prof. Paper 

154, p. 286, pl. 73, :figs. 1-3, 1929. . 

Mftmosites falcatus Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey ~rof. Paper 154, 

p. 287, pl. 73, figs. 4, 5, 1929. 

The large number of specimens in the recent collections makes it possible to show that the last two 

species cited in the synonymy are merely larger or 

n1ore falcate representatives of the previou~ly described Mimo8ites coloradensis .. 

Podogonium americanum Lesquereux 

Plate 10, figure 8 

Podogonium america<;wm Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. 

Rept., vol. 7, p. 298, pl. 59, :fig. 5; pl. 63, fig. 2; pl. ~. 

fig. 6, 1878. 

Only figure 6 on plate 65, cited · above, represents 

a specimen reported by Lesquereux as coming froiil 

the Green River "group "· near the mouth of White 

River [in Utah], Wyoming territory, and collected 

by Prof. William Denton. This specimen does not 

n~w appear to be in t~e collections of the United 

States National Museum. The specimen here figured 

seems to represent the species Lesquereux descri'?~d. 

It has . numerous camptodrome secondaries with a 

reticulated system of intermediaries. . Both specimens 

possess characters which strongly suggest the living 

Amorpha frutioosa Linnaeus. 

Podogon.iwm americanwm seems tG be closely related to if not identical with the fossil species 

Gleilitsiophyll!wm eoce.nicrum. Berry, 29 from the Wilcox 

group at Puryear, Tenn. 

Occurrence : 12 miles northwest of Rio Blanco (Colo.) post 

office. 

Figured specimen in United States National Museum. 

29 Berry, E. W., The lower Eocene floras of southeastern Nortb 

America: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 91, p. 238, pl. 46, figs. l-7, 

1916. 

58868-34--,-3 

SIMAR UBACE,~E 

Ailanthus Iesquereuxi Cockerell 

Ailwnthus lotJ,gepetiola·ta · Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey ~err. 

Rept., vol. 8, p. 197, pl. 40, fig-. 7 [not fig. 6, which is 

Rhus longepetiolata (Lesquereux) Brown, n.eomb.], 

1883. 

Ailanthus le8quere'u.a:i Cockerell, Torreya, vol. 27, p. 95, 1927. 

Lesquereux in 1883 described a leaf and a fruit under the common designation Ailanthus longepetiolata. 

Cockerell in 1927 segregated these objects, calling the 

fruit by a ;new name, A. lesque reuwi, but passing the 

leaf with t}J.e suggestion that it m~ght be a species of 

Qwercus. ';I'he ·fruit is a characteristic Ailanthws fruit 

that is lit le if at all different from A. amerioarna 

Cockerell,3 from the Florissant lake beds. 

The out tanding characters of the lea·£ are the extremely long petiole, the numerous secondaries, and 

the toothed margin. Concerning the basilar tooth 

Lesquereu~ says, " protruding outside and apparently glantlular." Reference to · his figure 6 shows 

that the artist stressed this point. N o;v that the ,type 

specimen Thas been thoroughly cleaned and all the 

marginal teeth uncovered it is found that . the figure 

is somewh t inaccurate. · On the specimen the . teeth 

are sharp-pointed, not blunt, as in the figure, and the 

basilar teeth are not glandular, nor do they protrude . 

]n any unusual manner. The base of the leaf is cuneate, not truncate, as in Ailanthus. It is obvious, 

therefore, s Cockerell in 1927 also pointed out,. t~at 

this leaf does not possess the eharacters of a hv1ng 

Ailanthws leaflet. The numero·us secondary veins 

with short intermediaries that · do not reach as fa-r · as 

the teeth, together with the pointed, somewhat irregular, crena :.. serrate teeth, and 'the long petiole, suggest 

! to me the belief that this fossil is the terminal leaflet 

of a RhU8. It is therefore assigned 'to Rhi!Js longepetiolata (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comh.. ·No fo~~il 

showing the distinctive characters of an ·A ildtn;thus 

leaflet has yet been identified from the -Green River 

formation. The presence of undoubted fruits, how-

~ver, encourages the belief that some day the search 

for the lea es will be rewarded with success. 

AN ACARDIAC1~AE 

Rhus variabilis (Newberry) Knowlton 

Plflte 11, figures 1-4 

' Planera varya:mUs Newberry, U.S. Nat. Mus. Proc., vol. · 5; p. 

508, 1883 ; U.S. GeoL Survey :M:on. 35, p . . 83, pl. 66, fig. 

7 [not figs. 5, 6, which a,re Pla~nera inequilateralis (Lesquerellx) Knowlton], 1898. . 

Rhus · varia'dius (Newberry) ·Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey 

Prof. P aper 131, p. 167, 1923. · 

Coekereil, U.S. Nat . . Mus. · Proe., voi. 66, art. ·19, p. 4, 

1925. 

ao Cockerell, T.D.A., Description of Tertiary plants: Am. Jour. Sci., 

4th ser:, vol. 6, p. 539, fig. 3, 1908. 
60 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 19 3 4-3 5 

MyJ'ica alkahna Lesquereux. Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

,Paper 154, .P. 283, pl. 71, fig~. 2, 3, 1929•.

31 

MJJricn undulata? Heer. Lesquereux, Leo, U.S. Geol. Survey 

., Terr. Hept., vol. 7, p. 131, pl. 17, fig~. 6-8., 1878. 

Myrica lu du~,' gii Schimper. Lesquereux, Leo, U.S. Geol. and ; 

Geog. Survey Terr. BulL, voh 1, p. 385, 1875 [1876] ; Ann. 

· Rept. for 1874, p. 311; ·1876; U.S. Geol. Survey T'err. 

Rept., vol. 7, p. 133, pl. 65, fig. 9, 1878. 

Myr-ica zacharien8i.s Saporta. Lesquereux, Leo. U.S. Geol. 

·· Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 8, p. 146, pl. 45a, figs. 6-9 

, [not pl. 25, fig. 5], 1883. 

Rhus nigricans (Lesquereux) Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey 

· Prof. Paper 131, p. 168, 1923. Not O'·ttpanites nigricans 

(Lesquereux) Berry, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 9·2, 

p. 176, pl. 34, fig. 7, 1924. 

Rhus my.rico·ides Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Suney Prof. Paper 

131, p. 188, pl. 37, 1igs. 9--11, 1923. 

Myrica sp. Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, 

p. 157, pl. 37, fig. 2, 1923. . 

Cockerell in 1925 reported the finding of the 

splendid specimen shown in plate 11, figure 1, and 

gave a description of it. H-eretofore only separate 

leaflets or fragments had been described and fio-ured b ' and in consequence, as the synonymy shows, there 

was some confusion in identification, which the present regrouping may or may not resolve. Rhus variabilis is now figured for the first time as a pinnately 

compound-leaved species. 

It is possible that Rhus ari()Jbilis is an extremely 

'variaple species, or that severaL species not clearly 

distinguishable from· one another are here grouped 

together . . The assignment of this species to Rhws 

might well be questioned, although the resemblances 

to Rhrt~J.s, except .for the long petiolules, are most 

suggestive. I have some suspicions that it may be a 

J{ oel?·euteria-perhaps the species that produc~d the 

characteristic fruit K oelrewteria viridifluminis ( Hollick) Brown, n.comb., referred to below. It also 

resembles rather strikingly the variable-leaved Costa 

Rican species Dipterodendron costaricense Radlkofer. 

This species appears to be closely related to if not 

identical with RhVJ8 coriaroides Lesquereux 32 from 

the Florissant lake beds. Some of its leaflets might 

also be compared favorably with Rhus hilliae Les- · 

quereux 33 and Rhus· lesquereuwii Knowlton and Cockerell,34likewise from the Florissant lake beds. 

Occurrence: Near Osborn's cabin, NW~ sec. 6, T. 7 S., 

R 100 vV., 30 miles northwest of De Beque, Colo. 

Figure 1 at University of Colorado; counterpart in United 

States National Museum. Figure 2 in Milwaukee Public 

Museum. Figures 3 and 4 in United States National Museum. 

31 The synonymy from this point includes for the most part doubtful 

and poorly characterized species based upon fragmentary specimens 

that after careful comparisons seem to me to belong to the betterdescribed and better-figured Rhus variabiUs (Newberry) Knowlton. 32 Lesquereux, Leo, Cretaceous and Tertiary flora: U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 8, p. 193, pl. 41, fig. 3, 1883. 83 Idem, p. 194, pl. 41, figs. 12-15. 34, Knowlton, F. H., Mesozoic and Cenozoic plants of North America: 

U.S. Geol, Survey Bqll, 69.6, p. 5512, 1919, 

Rhus longepetiolata (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb. 

rlilanthus lmwepetiola.ta Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. 

Rept., vol. 8, p. 197, pl. 40, fig. 6 [not fig. 7, which . is 

A .. lesqtu;rreumi Cockerell], 1883. 

Rhtts rnyricoides Knowlton. Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 154, p. 2'87, pl. 73, fig. 9, 19•29. 

The specimen (pl. 73, fig. 9) referred by me in 1929 

to Rhus myricoides Knowlton 85 I now find is distinguished from Rhus tnyriooides, herein referred to 

Rhus variabilis (Newberry) Knowlton, by having 

numerous sn1all, closely spaced crenate-serrate teeth 

and a rounder, more asymmetric base. The teeth o£ 

R. variabilis are more widely spaced, with straighter 

sides, thus appearing angular instead of rounded, the 

total effect being one of dentateness rather than crenateness. The distinction in the secondary venation 

of the two species, while apparent to the eye, is difficult to convey in words, but it results chiefly from the 

differenoes in the nature and arrangement of the 

rnarginal teeth. 

The status of the leaf Ailanthus longepetiolata 

Lesquereux is discussed in connection with A. le8-

quereuxi Cockerell. It is there pointed out that this 

leaf is neither an Ailanthus nor a Querc:ws, but very 

probably a t~rminalleaflet of Rhus longepetiolata. 

Rhus longepetiolata resembles the living Rhus 

typkina-Linnaeus very closely. It also suggests comparison with species of Sorb1tS. The latter, however, 

exhibit sharp-pointed teeth that are distributed to the 

very apices of the leaflets, whereas teeth are absent 

for smne distance in the apical portion of R. longepetio_lata leaflets, which in this respect are comparable 

• to living species of Rh!ws. 

Occurrence: The specimen figured by me ill 19·29 was collected by 0. M. Ball between Carr and Brush Creeks, 30 ~iles 

northwest of De Beque, Colo. It is now at the Agricultural 

and Mechanical College of Texas, College Station, Tex. 

Anacardites schinus Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 15, figure 19' 

This is a winged seed 1.6 centimeters long, the seed 

portion occupying about one-third the length of the 

entire object. Fine irregular striations are faintly 

visible on the wing. The general form and habit simlilates that of South American species of Sohinopsis, 

hence the suggestion in the specific name. 

Occurrence: Near Osborn's cabin, NWI~ sec. 6, T. 7 S., R. 

100 W., 30 miles northwest of De Beque, Colo. 

Type in United States National M-q.seum. 

~ Knowlton, F. H., Revision of the flora of the Green River formation: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper .131, p. 188, pl. 37, figs. 9-11, 

1923. 
THE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES OF THE GREEN RIVER FLORA 61 

CELASTRACEAE 

Maytenus berryi Brown 

Plate 10, figure 7 

Mayternus berryi Bro·wn, U.S. GeoL Survey Prof. Paper 154, 

p. 289, pl. 74, fig. 3, 1929. 

The specimen formerly figured did not show the 

venation of the leaf very clearly, hence the introduction of another figure. This specimen lacks the apex, 

is more finely serrate, and does not presen't the general 

falcate outline of the other, but venational details are 

identical in both. It was discovered, after the photograph and plate were made, that the petiole of this 

specimen is 1 centimeter long. 

Occurrence: On Roan Creek, 25 miles northwest of De 

Beque, Colo. 

Figured specimen in United States National Museum. 

ACERACEAE 

Acer lesquereuxii Knowlton 

Acer indivisum Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., 

vol. 8, p. 180, pl. 36, fig. 6 [fig. 9 is A. mysticum 

Kirchner], 1883. (Homonym, Weber, 1852.) 

Acer lesquereumii Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Bull. 152, p. 26, 

1898; U.S. Geol. Survey. Prof. Paper 131, p. 169, 1923. 

Lesquereux's figures 6 and 9 represent, respectively, 

a leaf and a schizocarp of a n1aple. The seeds, which 

Knowlton reported as not to be found in the collections of the United States National Museum, were 

stored with the Florissant lake-bed specimens, where 

I found them. When I examined these types I found 

that the n1atrix was not the same for both specimens. 

The seeds are on a lin1eless thin brown -shale and volcanic-ash n1atrix, clearly of the Florissant lake-bed 

deposits. The leaf is on a grayish-white laminated caleareous shale, clearly a Green River formation matrix 

and identical with that in which many othe-r Green 

River fossil plants are preserved. The leaf, as figured, does not show the long attenuated lobes which the 

specimen now shows after being cleaned by removal 

of a thin encrusting layer. 

There are some superficial resembla.nces between 

this leaf and Liqwidambar callarche Cockerell, which 

is not rare in the Green River flora. The sweeping, 

even curve of the nonserrate margin between the lobes, 

however, is in strong contrast to the rather sharp 

angle between the lobes and to the serrate margin of 

L. callarche lea.ves. This maple leaf can be duplicated 

almost exactly with leaves from the living Chinese 

maple, Acer pictum Thunberg, and its affinities may 

lie in that direction. Other leaves of A. picturm are 

strikingly like Liqwidambar leaves except that the 

margin is entire, not serrate. 

No maple seeds have thus far been found in the 

Green River formation, although one seed, Anacmrdites sohiwloxus• Brown,36 resembles a maple samara, 

but, as poi ted out in the description of that species, 

there are eatures of that specimen which apparently 

eliminate it from the Aceraceae. 

It· does not seem proper to retain the same specific 

name for the leaf and seeds here discussed, as they 

clearly belong to different formations and localities 

and as in any case no connection between leaf and 

seeds can e demonstrated. I propose the retention 

of the na e Aoer lesquereuxii Knowlton for the leaf 

and the pacing of the seeds under the designation 

Aoer mys ·011Jm .. Kirchner, 37 fron1 which they apparently cann t be distinguished. 

SAPINDACEAE 

Sapindus dentoni LE~squereux 

Plate 13, figures 3, 4 

Sapind.us d toni. Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. and Geog. Survey 

Terr. Bull., vol. 1, p. 388, 18~'5· [1876] ; Ann. Rept. for 

1874, . 315, 1876; U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 

7, p. 2 5, pl. 64, figs. 2.--4, 1878. 

Sapi.n,dus la cifolius Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Rept., 

vol. 8 p. 182:, pl. 32, figs. 3-6 [not pl. 37, fig. 9], 1883. 

Salix sp. [S media. Heer] Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 131, p. 156:, 19-23. 

Myrica torr yi Lesquereux. Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

Paper 154, p. 283, 19291

• 

The typ s of this species seem not now to be in the 

United St tes National Museum. However, anumber of spe imens from recent collections compare favorably with the figures given by Lesquereux for this 

species, and they are therefore assigned to Sapindrws 

dentoni, c lied Sapindus lanozfoUus by Lesquereux. 

That of h s plate 37, figure 9, differs from those of 

· plate 32, fi ures 3 to 6, in having a more wedge-shaped 

base, stou er petiole, and ~ewer and more widely 

spaced sec ndary veins, which, so far as I can determine frm the type specimen, do not unite near the 

margin to form an undulatory intramarginal ' vein 

pattern. his it seems is there£on~ a different species, 

not Sapin us but Oreoda:p1hne, and is assigned to 

Oreodaph e larrwifoliai (Lesquereux) Brown. 

The spe imen called Salix sp. [Salix media Heer] 

by Knowl on and that called Jllyric(JJ torre:yi Lesquereux by m in a pr(Jvious paper also belong here. 

Oecurrenc : Between Carr and Brush Creeks, 30 miles 

northwest o De Beque, Colo. , 

Figured s ecimens at Agricultural and Mechanical College 

of Texas, C llege Station, Tex. 

36 Brown, . W., .Additions to the flora of the Green River formation: U.S. G ol. Survey Prof. Paper 154,, p. 288, pl. 73, fig. 8, 1929. 37 Kirchner, W. C. G., Contributions to the fossil flora of Florissant, 

Colo.: St. Lo is Acad. Sci. 'frans., vol. 8, p. 181,_ pl. 11, fig. 2, 189R. 
62 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 19 3 4-3 5 

Koelreuteria, viridiftuminis (Hollick) Brown, n.comb. 

Plate 10, figure 10 

Staphylea vilridifiumims Hollick, Torrey Bot. Club Bull., vol. 

56, p. 96, pl. 2, fig. 3, 1929. 

The specimen figured here is a single valve of a 

three-valved pod or capsule. In outline it is elliptical 

3:5 b~ ~centimeters in .dimensions. A prominent mid~ nb divides the valve symmetrically. The midrib and 

heavy ri~ are connect~d by a number of irregular 

heavy vmns, between which is a network of finer veins 

whose general direction is upward and outward from 

th~ midrib. The rounded apex carries a small, sharp 

~Oint. T~e ~eduncle at the base, if originally present, 

Is now missing. To the right of the midrib in the 

lo:wer half . of the specimen a portion of the placental 

w1ng showing the point of attachment for a seed was 

exposed by removal of a thin plate of surface material. 

~~cept th~t H?l,lick's specimen, Staplvylea viridifl'nm'tn'ts, described In 1929, is slightly larger an.d is composed of three ~uperposed valves-that is, a complete 

~apsule-there Is no further distinction from my specImen. I had the privilege of examinino- Hollick's • • b speCimen In 1931. After comparing it with mine, I 

concluded that they were identical species but did not 

belong to StaphyZ.ea. My reasons for excluding them 

from Staphylea are as follows: No Staphyleas when 

flattened by being embedded in sediments would leave 

impressions showing a strong midrib. On the contrary, the line marking the position of a midrib would 

be faint, and the apex of the imprint would show two 

separate points instead of one as in these foss~ls. Staphylea capsules are indehiscent except for a short distance near the apex and do not separate into three distinct valves. Staphyleas do not bear their seeds on a 

placental wing. St~phylea seeds are proportionally 

. smaller than the seeds in these capsules. The heavier 

venation of Staphylea pods is more widely spaced than 

that ~hown in these fossils and shows a pattern of loops 

arching upward toward the apex. The venation of the 

fossils does not exhibit this longitudinal tendency. No 

leaves suggesting Staphylea have so far been discovered in the Green River shales unless they are those 

now called Juglans alkalina Lesquereux. Soon after 

seeing Hollick's specimen I enumerated to him the 

foregoing objections to its being Staphylea and suggested K oelre11Ateria instead. Hollick replied that he 

would reconsider the identification but I did not hear 

from him further on the matter. ' 

This fossil is very similar to if not identical with 

the objects described from the Florissant lake beds 

under a number of names summarized in the following 

synonymy: 

Opnioglossum allewi Lesquer:eux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. Ann. 

Rept. for 1872, p. 371, 1873. 

Salvinia alleni (Lesquereux) Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey 

Terr. Rept., vol. 7, p. 65, pl. 5, fig. 11, 1878. 

Tm.esipteris al~eni (Lesquereux) Hollick, Torrey Bot. Club 

Bull., vol. 21, pp. 253-257, pl. 205, 1894. 

OarpoUthes alleni (Lesquereux) Cockerell, Am. Jour. Sci., 

4th ser., vol. 36, pp. 498-500, 1913. 

· Hollick, Torrey Bot. Club Bull., vol. 50, pp. 207-213, pls. 

10-12, 1923. . 

Phyllites aUeni ( Lesquereux) Florin, Geol. In st. Upsala Bull., 

vol. 16, pp. 249-260, pl. 11, 1919. 

BrachyrusC:Us allenii (Lesquereux) Cockerell, Torrey Bot. Club 

Bull., vol. 49, pp. 211-213, fig. 1, 1922. 

Koelreuteria alleni (Lesquereux) Edwards, Annals and Mag. 

Nat. Hist., vol, 20, pp. 109-112, 1927. 

In his 1923 paper Hollick figured a number of the 

Flori;:;sant fossils togeth{3r with capsules of K oel!reuteria _ and Staphylea but, except for pointing comparisons, refrained .from suggesting a seventh generic 

name, leaving tha~ responsibility to whoever should 

deem it necessary. W. N. Edwards in 1927 acc~pted 

the responsibility and assigned the fossil;:; to K oel!rewteria. He noted the fact that assodated with these 

unique fruits in the Florissant lake beds are leaves 

highly suggestive of Koelreuteria. This is especially 

true of Rhus hilliioJe Lesquereux,38 one of the specimens of which in the United States National Museum 

collections is a bipinnate leaf after the manner o:f 

living Koelreuterias. Rhus is nev.er bipinnate. 

. In the description of Staphylea viridijlumrimis, Holh~k (1929) made no reference to his 1923 paper, nor 

did he compare his specimen with the similar Florissant objects he had previously studied. He suggested, 

however, that the Florissant leaves called Stmphylea 

aO'Uflninata Lesquereux,39 although presumably somewhat later in age, may be ;related to the species which 

produced the fruit found in the Green River shales. 

For the reasons already given I am of the opinion 

that both Hollick's specimen and mine represent not 

Staphylea but very probably K oelrewteria, the closest 

resemblance being to capsules of K oelrewteria bipinnata Franchet, from western China. K oelrewteria is 

a mesophytic genus of five species distributed in 

China and Japan in regions havino- a mild temperate 

clim.ate. Comparison of the fossil~ with the capsules 

produced by other sapindaceous genera, such as Urvillea and Oardiospermum, leaves much to be desired. 

The Green River and Florissant specimens may 

represent the same species, but of this I am not absolutely certain. Therefore I am designating them tentatively as different. 

Fossil leaves from the Green River shales that may 

represent the same tree which produced these fossil 

fruits are discussed under Rhus vari~bilis (Newberry) 

88 Lesquereux, Leo, The Cretaceous and Tertiary floras: U.S. Geol. 

Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 8, p. 194, pl. 41, figs. 12-15, 1883. 39 Lesquereux, Leo, The Tertiary flora: U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. 

Rept., vol. 7, p. 267, pl. 48, figs. 4, 5, 1878. 
THE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES 'OF 63 

Knowlton and 0 omptonria insignis (Lesquereux) r•: 

Cockerell. 

Occurrence : On Brush Creek, 25 miles northwest of De 

Beque, Colo. 

Figured specimen in United States National Mu-se1u1t 

Dodonaea · viscosoides Berry -• - -

~late 10, :figure 9 .· . 

DodoJ ~. . visoosoid es Berry' u.s·. Geol. Survey PrOf.; Paper 84, 

· p. 142, pl. 28, figs. 4-~. 1914 ; . U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. 

P?per 92, p. 70, pl. 12, fig. 7·; p. 176, pl. 34, figs. 11~13; 

pl. 42, fig. 1, 192~. - . ' ' 

This lea_:f appe-ars to be a slightly mutilated e:Xainple 

of the species. described by Berry from the middle and 

upper Eocene floras of the. southeastern United 

States. There are. some differences in venatio~ between my ·specim.en and __ Berry's, but they seem to be 

of a minor nature. All these specimens differ in 

"·enation from the living species Dodonaea viJS,cJosa , 

Linnaeus but nevertheless resemble it closely. . · 

I 

Occurrence : Nea t· beau of Ute Trail, 30 miles northweSt of i 

De Beque, Colo. 

Figured ~p eci~n e,n i n Unjted States National Museum. 

ILICACEAE 

. . .. Ile~ ~91Qradensis Brown, n.sp. 

P late 10, figures 5, 6 · 

Thick Ian. eo:a.teileaves; 4 to ·7 centimeters longiand 

1.5 to 2 centimeters.wide. Apex elongated and acuminate; base broadly '9urieate·, equilateral. Petiole short. 

Margin sinuous, .. with w -to numero-qs sharp; lQng-

.pointed . or : se:rrftte . ::te.eth. Midrib strong, straight. 

-S,econdaries f,ew, 9 to;8 ternate pairs, diverging fr_om 

the} midrib at: ~ _: or-, _r.~ ,- curved upward -into f~ t:Q.e 

~t)l or. :;t<mptodr<;> p.~ f:!i:P:d csendiq.g' an irregular loop 

to the secondary above, with veinlets. to the- teetb. 

Finer venatio:q. · i:r;l:dis.t p.~js}l abl . . 1 

.. . This :foqn isref<e rr d, ,tq I:ZeiV wi~h es~rvations. It 

re emb ~ jn "Som-e respec ~~ ~;rtaig f()~sjl species . o:f 

Myrica and Dillenites, an9:: ~5~~ n_lar. -.:it is-like ngure 7 of flex dissimilis ~e~querel).~ 4? _but 9-iffers in.be-

. ii:tg mor~ a~e-lance ol,ate aric i.Jl~~iji~fa ~ore ac~~i- t 

nate ape~.: .In . 1~29 41 .I :assume-d . .these l~aye$ tO:: be ' 

flex affinis Lesquer~ux, but now that I have · had a:h 

opportunity to e;Kamin~ the. ty~s·- o:Lthat species d_nd 

have found them t~ he small or de:formed leaves o:f t 

QuerC1JJS oastameop8is, it' becomes · necessary to s-et up i 

this new species. 

Occurrence: Between· Carr and Brush Creeks, 30 -mites 

north\Yest of De Beque, Colo. ; collected by 0. M. Ball. 

Types at Agricultural and Mechanical . College of Texas, 

College Station; Tex. 

40 Lesquereux, Leo, The Tertiary flora : U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. 

Rept., vol. 7, p. 77, pl. 50, figs. 7-9, 1878. 

4ct Brown, R. W., Additions to the flora of the Green River formation: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 154, p, 289, 1929. 

'J 

Z zyphus c!nnamomoid~~ Le~~uereux . · . 

.OeOJrWthus .. o n·narnmnoi·des Lesquereux, .u.s .. GeoL and . Geog. 

_ ~urv ~ Te-J;r. AigL Rept. for 1~:71,_ p.' !?8~, 1872. i; ·' . , 

Zizyphus oi . wmomoid s Lesquereux;. U.S. GeoL l~urvey '_ferr. 

_ . - . Rept., ol. 7, p. ~77, .pl. 52, :figs:·7,: 8, 1878. : .. , ' 

li~ai wyornin ia a Les'quereux,' id~nr. p. 270, 'pl. 50, fig: 1: 

zi~1Jp-hus l gifolia: -- :Newberry; U."s: Nat.: Mus. Proc.;' i oi. ;5, 

p. 513, J882 .. [1883l:'; u.s. Gecil: 'Survey Mon. 35, _p. ·1i£), 

pl. 65, figs. 3-5, ~898. 

-~2: h:i~ sp~ ies . left ~lbunda,~t rema~ns in Jh.e Jir~en 

River forf.a.tion. It · shows such .v:atiability ·.-' and 

gradation :f cha-racters ·that, - '~ my :'of!>ii:iion;:: distinction from izyphws longifoNa,. described by Newberry 

and maint ined by Knowfton, · is impossible.- Newberry's figure .5 ~ppe.ars t9_ b,e me~ lJ: an ->abnormal leaf,_ 

as sugges . d by its irregular outline. · IleaJ wyomingiana Lesqu reux is a fragment of the upper portion of 

a leaf, but the venation indicates its reference_ to Z. 

(:.cin~om· ides:-·· Zizyp h1is ' olaibornensis Berry, 42 from 

th.e ·Yegua (.t Cockfield 43 ) ' :formation; Columbia, La:, . 

'is simrlar . if ~ot id(mtieal wi~h this' species; --~ ~ _: . ~~ ' ' . . 

,··. TILIACEAE: 

S4 dde~ (Cockerell) . Brow;n, n.comb: • l 

. . r· . . 

. Populus ~: lJal. amoi~es latifolia r L~sq ereux, u.s: Geof.' S·urv.ey 

Terr: ep·t., .vol. 8; p. 158~ .pl.: ':31; fig ~ 4, 1883. · · _; 

rP.opulu8 sou deni Oocketell,iTorrey)3.ot. 'Club Bull., vol. 33, p. 

;:;·,, .. ;30~, 1 06 : Colorado· Uni:v .. Sttp1iys, vql. .3, p: 172, 19J6. ,, 

r; .. :.. The: lar . ~ lHaf d~scribed a~d figured· by Lesquereu~ 

ra;s PopUl · . . i"Jalsa1noirlJes Zatifob.a ,:and renamed: by 

-Cockerell · opu.Zus·$cu(l,deri is 'P.t'eserved on a gray cal-

·Cf1Teous iru trix :Which ,is clearl)h;:t Green: River-,· not a 

Florissant Iri2 trix~ as: originally:.:.ci'ted: This leaf js a 

:;typic.al in quilateral' linaen' le f,'· but Lesquereux's ·fig-

,u':ter. a dra ) ng; do:es,ri.ot-aocentuate that ,detaiL as it 

should~ I ·inay.he compared 'with T. poJjuilifolia Le~­

;quereux;44 :front 'Floris-:§antJr}2·' \ . 

•• _., i : ; 

· }Jlbis~~s ~~~P,~n~i~ · ~!;:0.~~, n, s~: .. r ,. .. ··:::" .J .... I ' - .) - _, ' ·----- J v _ .... _). ·-·' · --·--~.,); _l --- .) )' . .) _, .I J .... ,; .J 

n-:: ;': : ;; :.: ·; .. '' ··>Pla.te:. 13~ :: :figure ' 17·' '.': · : J 

r·· ·-t ,- "''' : __ ·_- . ,..., . r' '1/ ':·_ .. ·. · .. -. ! _· ·-. _: ' :' ··- . l 

'"·" The ~p er P~rt .- <;rt thf~ )ea~-- _is wis~ing. 'rhe · porJ iqn , reiri iig _ sqgg~st$ t4_aJ:i; the eaf . was _Q:f ovate 

p~'- ooJoJ!g , slj ap~,, fO :- q~pt:i~~t~~~s 9j: nore )qr{g ~W~ 

·g- centiin t~f~ . wid~, .'f.}ie , ;)nli~f,giii ·_· i~ siriu~te . wit.\! 

-large, "re ot€ 1y pl~ced 'leetli .. ''the 'base is rounded. 

The lengt o:f petiole present is 3 centimeters. Ft'oi:n . ., . ., 

42 Berry, E W., The mic:;ldle and upper Eocene floras of· southt>asteril 

~orth America : U.S, Geol. Suryey Prof. Paper 92, p. 74, pL · 12, 

figL ~ 11, 1 2~ . . , . . 

· · .. t11A ·dagger ( t) preceding · a geologic name indicates 'that the name 

has been aba doned or rejected for use d:o. classification in publications 

of the U.S. Geological Survey. . 

"Lesquere X. :Leo, The Cretaceous an.d Tertiary floras: u.s. Geol. 

Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 8, p. 179, pl. 34, figs. 8, 9, 1883. 
.. 

64 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIO~S TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 1934-35 

the top of the petiole two pairs. of -lateral veins, one 

pair stronger than the other, diverge toward the margjn and send branches int6 the teeth~ The next pair 

of ·strong secondaries departs from . the midrib at 

some dista.nce abo e the top· of the p~tiole. The intermediat~ venatio~ -is irregular and obscure. 

. I have compa.reti· this leaf ~ith numerous living 

spe~ies , but have fohnd no closer agreemen~ th~n with 

the leaves of the Malvaceae, particularly the genus 

Hibiscus. 

Occurrence: North' side of Roan Creek, -30 miles northwestof ·De B.eque, Colo. 

',l'ype in United States National Museu~. -. 

BOMBACACEAE . ' . ~ 

Ochroma murata BrOWny .sp~ 

,} ·. Plate 11: · · ;_ " . 

, ... 

This large en~ire-margined lea( is .. 25 centimeters 

wide at its greatest width, 'at a point abo'ut 12 centimeters -above. the b~se. The length ·of _ the preserved 

portion of the-leaf ~s 18 centimeters, but it se~ms ·:reasonable to infer tliat the mi ~ing apical portion, if 

restored, would add at least 5 centimeters to that 

length. The - base is truncate to 'subcordate. The 

thick petiole, millimeters in width, suffered distortion before fossilization and is now. fo.ld~d ba_ck. upon 

the· lamina of the le,af. The venation is palmate~ with 

a heavy'midrib flan~ed by 1 pair of stron~fand 2 pairs · 

of weak lateral · ve'J.ns. The -br~nchle.ts · ,from these 

laterals, ~ as well as:.; the secondaries that depart from 

the midrib, unite near the margin to form an undulating intramarginal :system. In life ' the -leaf · was. apparently somewha(pubescent and of thin texture. ~ 

After comparing -this 'leaf with·,-Iiv.ing species of 

Platanus, 0W<;"'Ulf'bit{t;, SterO'Uilia, Hfplrran;gea;. Aralia, 

QUJerC11J8, Catalpa, VitiJs, . PopWlU8,- Dombeya, FicuJs, 

!Jf alva, Ochroma;, al}d others, , I -J conclude' .that -it .finds ' . ·1ts closest counterpa!ts in the genus Oahroma, one species of which, 0. fa:goprws 'Swartz, from the tropics 

and subtropics of t~e Wester~ He:r_pisp~ere, furnishes 

the corkwood or b~!sa· of commerce. -So far I have 

found no other evid~nce ·. such -_,as.. ·flowers or fruits to 

cor~oborate tp.~~ id~ntification, which must therefore 

be regarded~ as·': tehtative rath~r .. thiin bett"aifi~· c ~' 

· frhe veriation, shape, ahd thi6k -"p~ti61e ot this leaf 

di~tiriguish 1t ·from !~rg~ ·f6ssif leaves-~ thg1{ iii\r~ ·'be~n 

identified as Platam)~, Aralia, Ored~eria::,: ttrrd: j)om- beyopsis. . · ·, :.... , -_ · · .,., j -.. . _ :·-· 

Oc~urrence: North side of Roan Gr~~~.;c 30 miles _'northwest 

of De Beque, Colo: 

Type in United· States National Museum. ' 'Named for 

~iguma J. Murata, . of, the Unite!! Stat~s Geological Survey. 

OLEACEAE 

Fraxinus flexifolia (Lesquereux) Brown, n.comb. 

EuonymUs · flexifoli1.ts Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. 

Rept., vol. 8, p. 183, pl. 38, fig. 13, 1883. 

li'raxin~s petiolata Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Pr.of. Paper 

154, .p. 290, pl. 75, figs. 1-4, 1929. , 

Odostemo~ reynoldsii Hollick, Torrey Bot. Club Bull., vol. 56, 

p, 9'5t pl. 2, fig. 2, 1929. 

For ~4~ fir$t time I have had an opportunity to 

examine . Lesquereux's type of Euonymus flewifoliw, 

and I find that, with all due -respect to the delineator 

of the figure, the size and number of the marginal 

teeth . ar~ exaggerated and the number of secqndary 

veins with intermediates is underestimated. In short, . 

the general form and venation suggest that this-, specimen is a terminal leaflet of what I have previously 

de$Cribed~· as FraminU1

8 petiolata. Although not to be 

considered proof, the fact that superposed _on this 

specimen. is an undoubted FramVn.ws petiolata ·leaflet 

lends ad<Utional color to the hypothesis of identity as 

jw~t, stat~P,. _ 

Hollick.c described and figured a specimen called 

Odostemon '·reynoldsii. After examination · .of this 

.specimen and comparison with the specim~ns of 

Fraxin'IJJS flewifoUa in the United · States National 

1\{useum, I am persuaded that it is a small leaflet of 

the latter species. 

. Fraxinus wieser Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 12, figu~e 5 

This ·is· an odd-pinnately compound leaf. Leaflets 

7 or more;:~ thick, elliptic-lanceolate, entire, with m:ar~ 

gins slightly decurrent on·the petiolule, which }s:abnut 

1 · centim~~er' long. Midribs o:f the leaflets strong. 

Secondaries; 10 or more pairs, camptodrome, at wide 

angles fr~m the midrib. 

__ This. s~cies can be compared with' some qf · the ·many vari~ble nonserrate forms of 'the living· Fivtq;inU8 orer/~a :Nuttall and Frariinus velutirut Tort-:ey ~ 

of the western 'United States. ;· . • . ' 1 •• 

· Occurrenc~: Alkali Station, Wyo. '' · . 

-.ify:Pe in .'United· States -National Museum. ··Named -fo~ Miss 

-Frances -Wieser,_ of the United- States Gedlogic-.3.1 Survey. . .-,... . - J·. . _.1 .:. -~ - • ... h I . ..J • 

Syri11ga ~h~t:ade1i :Qr_o_wn, .n.sp. 

-- ·'~ · " -- ·· · · -~ Plat~ lO figtire 4 .'"' ~-; ~ . '. 

This fine cordate leaf is 7.5 centimeters long and 

5.5 centi~eters wide. It has a str.ong midrib and 

rather thick petiole 1 centimeter long. The basal seeondaries depart from the midrib at wide angles, but 

the higher secondaries leave at progressiv~Iy ria~r<?_!_~r 

: · .. ~ ; 
THE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES OF RIVER FLORA 65 

angles. Near the margin the secondaries fork or join 

the secondaries above. -·F:irrer veuat~on obscure. Margin entire. Apex .blunt. Base slightly cordate. 

In outline this ·leaf ·resembles certain fossil ,forms 

described as Fi~, .. particularly some of the 'many 

forms of Fiows rnipsissippiensis (Lesquereux) Berry. 

The venation, however, strikingly suggests that of 

Syringa, the lilac, ~ather than Fiews. Syringa is further suggested by such flowers as are shown in .plate 

8, figure 5, and such fruits as are shown in plate 8, 

figure 13. t 

There are some 30 living species of Syringa native 

to eastern Asia and Japan. 

Occurrence: Uinta County, Wyo. 

Type in United States National Museum. 

APOCYNACEAE 

Apocynophyllum roanense Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 11, figure 5 

Sa.Ux sp. Knowlton, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 131, p. 156, 

pl. 37, fig. 4, 1923. 

These are coriaceous leaves, lanceolate, with entire 

margin, blunt ap~x, and cuneate base. Length of 

. petiole unknm,vn, but in Knowlton's specimen I uncovered slightly more than 1 centimeter. The venation is charaf'teristically irregular, the secondaries diverging from the midrib at ang:es of 45 ° at the base 

but at nearly 90° . toward the apex of the leaf. They . 

curve upward and fork near the margin. Between the 

secondaries are riup1erous finer irregular veinlets ·and 

an ultimate areolation so!newhat like that of Quercus. 

This speciesdiffers from Apocynophyllwm wilcowense 

Derry in being less linear and more ovate:..lanceol~te. 

Occur;_ence: On south point of divide between middfe and 

west forks of Parachute Creek, 10 miles northwest ·of Grand 

Valley, Colo. 

Type in United States National Museum . . 

Apocynospermum coloradensis Brow~ 

Plate 10, figure 3 

Apooynosper111Jil,m coLqlf'aden-sis Brown, U.S. Geol. Sur,7ey Prof. 

Paper 154, p. 291, 1929. 

The figured specimen will illustrate the type · described but not figured in the pap~r cited above. 

Occurrence: High bluff at south point of divide between 

middle and west forks of Para chute Creek, 10 miles northwest 

of Grand Valley, Colo. 

Type in . United States National Museum. 

CAPRIFOLI~.CEAE 

Viburnum asperum Newberry 

Viburnum CJ;sperum Newberry. [Lesquereux], Illustrations of 

Cretaceous and ·Tertiary pl~nts, pl. 16, fig. 8,. u:.~. 'Geol. 

fl!l<l Geog. Sur:vey Terr., 1878. 

Newberry, U.S. G,eol. Survey :Mon. 35, p. 129, pl. 33, fig. 9, 

1898.-

Ward, U. '" . Geol. Survey Bull. 37, p. 113, pl. 55, figs. 4-9, 

1887. 

Alnus ke(erst inU (Goeppert) Unger. Lesquereux, U.S. Geol. 

Survey err. Rept., vol. 7, p.' 140, pl. 64, fig. '11, 1878. 

The speci en that Lesquereux called Alnus kefer-' 

steinii (pl. 4, fig. 11, 1878) is fragmentary; showin~ 

only the up er two-thirds o(·a leaf. · The venation i~ 

fairly clear and the mar~!n, although somewh~t 

ragged, exh bits a few disti~ct teeth. The types o.f 

.

Alnus kefe: te,/inii (G. o~p~ert., · Unger;Were. orig. n~ll ·.· · called Aln~ es kefersteznzz Qoeppert 45 and represent 

iHflorescenc s only. Later '@p.ger 46 c anged the ge~ 

neric name to Aln'WS and · figured 4 ecimens, 3 o·f 

which are i flor·escences and.· 1 (fig. 4 is a £ragmen.: 

tary leaf. rom this beginning ther has grown a 

large body f descriptions and figure purporting t.o 

represent Alnus keferstein:ii. In Les uereux's spec1"" 

rrren I am ·u able to recognize much res mblance to the 

originally gured leaves of ,that spec"es. The speci~ 

men, howev r, compares favor.ably wit Viburnwm asperu.m New erry of the :For~ . Union f rmation. This 

species is cl sely related to if not identi al with anumber of othe Viburnums from the For Union formation. 

Lesquerm x's AlnU8 kefersteinii (18 8) was omitted 

from the G een River flora by 'Knowlt n, although he 

included S ·indus obtusifoli~ Lesque eux, which occurs at the same. localit?' :ihd .in th~ sa.me m. atr.ix . The histor of the spemmen .may e pla1n the confusion in r gard to it. Lesqtiereux,47 giving the lo~ 

ca.Iity of SfpindU8 obtusifolius, says " Eight miles 

southeast of Green River: stktio:n, ·vv oming, in co'nne~tion ·witljl thin peds .of coa~ referab e ~o the ~ as~ t 

ak1e or Carlbon group. A b~d of shale .1s at th1s locality fille with leaflets of ·this spe · es mixed wit~ 

fragments f leaves and branches o Mu8ophyllwin: 

I could fin . there no other species. Mr. Wm;· Oleburn, who · isited later the same· local"ty, has, among 

numerous s ecimens of these 2 species 1 fragment of 

Oarrpinws •andis." Lesquefeux, ho ever, does not 

list Oarrpin s grandis with t~e Green River flora.· but 

lists and fi ures four specimens fro the Florissant 

lake beds: · Giving the locality j[or A n.'IJJ8 'kefersteinii 

l.te says ( id m, p. ),41) : " Th~ fragmen repref:ented on 

pl. 64, nea Florissant, South Park, olo. (Dr. F. V. 

Hayden). ine miles southea·st of Gr en River, Wyo. 

(Wm. Clebhrn)." . ·'. 

The mat ix of this specimen:, how ver, is a lightbuff, fine-g ained clayey sandstone, hich is entirely 

45 Goeppert, . H. R., De floribus in statu fossil : Acad. Caes. Leop. 

l 'ar. Nova Act , .vol. 18, p. 564, pl. 41, ftgs. 1-7, 838. · 

46 Unger, Fr nz, Chloris protogaea: Beitrlige z, r Flora der Vorwelt, 

p·.· 115, pl. 33, gs. 1-4, 1847. · · c 

t7 .Lesquereu , Leo, The Tertiary tlorn; U.S • .Geol. Survey Ten•: ~ 

Rept., vol. 7, . 266, 187,~. 
66 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 19 3 4-3 5 

unlike the reddish-brown, thinly laminated Florissant I hesitate to suggest any generic affinities. The genlake deposits composed largely of tuffaceous mate- .cral outline and texture are not unlike some Ericaria.ls. The matrix is clearly the same as t4at from ceae . . Comparison might be made with Andromeda 

which the SapVndu8 obtusifolius was derived, and the i delicatula LesqlJereux,49 from the Green River formainference logically follows- that an error was made in tion of Uinta County, Wyo. Examination of these 

ascribing this sp.ec!men to Flor~sant. : specimens, howeve:.;, · reveals an entirely different 

I have searched the collections of fossil plants in ~ venation. 

the United States National Museum and have found .. ; Occurrence: . Near head of Ute Trail, 30 miles northwest of 

no Oarpinu'8 grarndis labeled by Lesquereux a,s com- 1 De Beque, Colo. 

ing from the Green River formation . . It is possible, ; Type in United States National Museum. 

therefore, th.at Lesquereux changed·. his identificatio!l ' 

without changing the record at one point from Oar- : 

pznus grandi~ to Avnus kefersteini. Reference of the·: 

specimen to either of these genera does not in my , 

opinion. seem justified; but the recent work of Wode- : 

house on the pollen.s· of the Green Ri.ver shales indi- : 

cates the presence of Aln~, "Oarpi;nus, and probably : 

Viburnwm_ in the Green 'River flora. - The p:resence of ; 

v iburn'IJ/Jn is further suggested by' ·a, seed ca:lied Q ar- : 

pites viburni Lesquereux. 48 · · · · ·· · - · 

CUCURBITACEA 

Cucurbita glandulosa Brown 

Plate 13, :figure 2 

Oucurbita glandulosa Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. P~per 

154, p. 291, pl. 75, fig. 6, 1929. 

The specimen described and. figured in 1929 . was 

very fragmentary, i:p.cluding only 1. ·centimeter of 

petiole and the basal .portion of the leaf. The present 

specin1en is larger~ $bowing the lobed nature of the 

leaf, but it lacks the apical portion. The minute 

punctation noted on the first specime~ is ~haracter- . 

istically present here also, so that_ taking all the evi- · 

dence into consideration, I am of the opinion that the 

two specimens represent the same species. · That they 

are cucurbitaceous in relationship may well be ques- · 

tioned, but I should feel equally doubtful in referring 

them to Platanu_s, Sterewlia, Malva, Aralia, Quermhs, · 

or others. · · 

Occurrence : North side of Roan Creek, 30 miles northwest 

:of De Beque, Colo. . . . . -

Figured spe~imen in. United States· :Nat~~~~l_. Mu~~:t,l~. 

P.iANTS OF UNCERTAIN· AFFINITY 

Phyllites ericoides Brown, ~ n•s:P: ~ 

'-, 

Plate 13, :figure 7 

This thick obovate · to spatulate leaf .has a strong 

straight midrib, but the remaining venation, except 

for a pair of alternate .camptodrome secondaries rising from the midrib halfway between the base and 

apex, is obscure. ·.Oa the basis . .of one leaf of this sort . 

"'Lesquereux, Leo, The Tertiary flora: U.S. Geol. Survey Terr. 

Rept., vol. 7, p. 305, pl. 60, figs. 26, 26a, 1878. 

.Phyllites ~urcivena Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 13, figure. 5 

This elongate, narrow, coarse-toothed leaf with 

delicate bifurcating venation, has some suggestion of 

being a fern, somewhat like Aneimia fJelicat'lila 

Brown,50 but this resemblance may be only superficial. 

Future collections must be depended upon to furnish 

evidence f9r better determination of this form. 

Occurrence: O,n Roan Creek, 25 miles· northwest of De 

Beq~e, Colo. 

Type in Un~ted States National Museum. 

Phyllites glandiferus Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 11, figure 7 

-.. This odd-pinnately compound leaf is somewhat peculiar in having long-petioled instead of sessile ·lower 

leaflets. T;he lower leaflet preserved is also peculiat· 

.in having a pair of minute g'lands at the base of the 

blade. Neither the terminal nor the sessile leaflets 

s~ow this detail. It should be noted that the lower 

leaflet is unattached, and it may not belong to the main 

~eaf; but in venation, texture, and general form it is 

so like the other leaflets that I consider it a part of the 

unit. The venation of the leaflets is indistinct but. is 

leguminous in character. I offer no generic reference 

for this species; ·but there is some resemblance to the 

leaflets of M imosites coloradensis Knowlton. 51 

_ Occurrence: On Piceance Creek, 20 miles west of Meeker, 

Colo. 

Type in United States National Museum. 

Phyllites ouratea Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 11, figure 6 

This fragment has a strikingly irregular secondary 

venat~on which is matched by a ragged margin showing coarse, hooked teeth of different sizes. In spots 

49 Lesquereux, Leo, The Cretaceous and Tertiary floras: U.S. Geol. 

. Survey Terr. Rept., vol. 8, p. 175, pl. 34, figs. 10, 11, 1883. 

5o Brown, R. W., Additions to the flora of the Green River formation: U.S. Geol. Survey Prof . . Paper 154, p. 281, pl. 10, figs. 1, 2, 

1929. 

1>1 Knowlton, F. H., Revision of the flora of the Green River formation; U.S, Geol. Survey Prot. Paper 131, P. 166, pl. 40, figs. 1-3, 1923. 
THE RECOGNIZABLE SPECIES · OF THE -GRE:E - ·RtV"ER-.]rLORA 

the margin has been eroded. Comparison- could- be 

made with 071ffatea eocen:ica Berry.52 This leaf may 

represent some herbaceous plant. 

Occurrence : 3 miles north west of De Beque, Colo. 

Type in United States National Museum. 

Antholithes, species of 

Plate 15, figures 1.:...7 

The series of flowers and flowerlike objects here 

figured are, it seems to me, of insufficient character to 

warrant more than guesses· as to their identities. 

Figure 1 is perhaps a cruciferous or orrograceous 

flow~r. It is partly reconstructed. 

Figure 2 is either a pedicellate calyx or corolla with 

the filaments of many stamens protruding. 

Figure 3 has the appearance of two pet~ls or sepals 

and a malvaceous cluster of numerous stamens. 

Figure 4 is a flower with a superior ovary surrounded by the five-toothed calyx. 

Figure 5 is a tubular receptacle, ·surmounted by a 

four-parted calyx. 

Figure 6 is either a four-parted calyx or corolla 

with 8 to 10 stamens. 

Figure 7 may be a large flower or a badly distorted 

leaf of a N el'llfn11Jo. 

Occurrence : Above Seller's ranch, north side of Roan Creek, 

30 miles northwest of De Beque, Colo. (figs 2, 3, 5, 6) ; north 

side of Greenwood Creek, sec. 16, T. 2 N., R. 98 w.: Colorado 

(fig. 4) ; Fossil, Wyo. (:figs.l, 7). 

Types in United States National Museum. 

Carpolithus alabaccus Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 15, figure 11 

This object appears to be a small winged seed, but 

it may be a berrylike fruit enveloped in a membranaceous sac. I do not offer any guess as to its generic 

affinity. 

Occurrence: West side of Piceance Creek, see. 22, T. 1 N., 

R. 97 W ., Colorado. 

Type in United States National Museum. 

Carpolithus cassioides Brown 

Plate 15, figure 8 

Carpolithus cassioides: Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

154, p. 291, pl. 76, fig. 1, 1929 . . 

These specimens seem to be undoubted. leguminous 

fruits and help to confirm the tentative identitJcations 

of such leaves as Mimosites, Oassia, Legu~ nosites, 

etc. 

52 Berry, E. W., Revision o:l' the lower Eocene Wilcox flora: U.S. 

Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 156, p. 112, pl. 45, fig. 3, 1930. 

Occurrence : Near head 6f . TJ.te T-ta:n, :·30 -miles northwest 

of De Beque, Colo. 

Figured spe ·men in United States Nation . Museum: ' 

Plate 15, figures 17, .is· 

These spe imens, ovoid to spherical centimeters in di meter, appear to he fruit covered with 

long silky h irs. On one side or end i a round scar 

which may l ave been a point of attac ment. These 

objects may -e pa.lm fruits. The long filaments may 

be algae~ an · they may represent the s me object described . by ( ockerell 53 as a feath~~r, D · tryma filiferu 

Cockerell. · . '• . "j 

Occurrence: Above Seller's ranch, north si of Roan Creek, 

30 miles nort west of De Beque, Colo. ( 17) ; between 

Carr and B sh Creeks, 30 miles north we • t of De ·Beque, 

Colo. (fig. 18) 

Type, figure 17, in United States National Museum; figure 

18, ·at · Agricul ural and Mechanical College f Texas, College 

Station, Tex. 

insectoides Brown, n.sp. 

Plate 15, figure 9 

This obje appears to be a winged sFed. The seed 

portion is eavy and pointed but gr,des insen.sibly 

into the fin -veined ovate wing. Su gestions as to 

generic affi.n ty are not offered at this time. 

Occurrence: On H.oan Creek, 25 miles orthwest of De 

Beque, Colo. 

Type in Uni ed Stutes National Museum. 

Carpolithus paliuroides Brown, sp. 

This frui 

tached to a 

is occupied 

of the fruit. 

Plate 15, :figure 12 

is 1 centimeter in diam ter and is atedicel, of which the porti n preserved is 

in length. The ceriter o the specimen 

y what was evidently the bulky portion 

Outside this heavier cen er is a thinner 

portion, which may represent som~thin like the wing 

characteristic of Paliwrus fruits. I this thinner 

outer portio represents only the "wri kled skin of a 

· globular sto e fruit, the specimen · rna be .compared 

with the fr its o:f the genus Zizyph ' of the Rhamnaceae. Thi is a more likely refe'i·ence because leaves 

identified as Zizyphu8 cinnatmomoides 

locally very common. 

Occurrence : Above Seller's ranch, ncrrth si e of Roan Creek, 

30 miles nort west of· De Beque, Colo. 

Type in Un ted States National Museum. 

68 Cockerell, T. D. A., Plant and insect fossils fr m the Green Rive:r 

Eocene of Color do : U.S. Nat. Mus. 'Proc., vol. 66, rt. 19, pl. 1, fig. 7, 

1925. 
68 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY, 1934":--35 

Carpolithus prunoides Brown, n.name 

Carpolithus eUiptious Brown, U.S. Geol. Survey Prof. Paper 

154, p. 291, pl. 76, fig. 2, 1929. Not C. elliptiou8 Sternberg, Flora der Vorw~lt, vol. 1, p. 40, pl. 7, fig. 1, 1825. 

By oversight thif? speCies received a name that was 

preempted, as stated in the citation. 

· Carpolithus vitaceus Brown, n.sp. 

.Plate 15, figure 10 

This seed h~s every appearance of belonging to 

some member of the grape family, Vitaceae. This 

bit of . evidence strengtl}.ens the position of such previously described objects5

: from the Green River forma- ___ 

, .. · 

.... •:. 

· tion as Pa:rrthenociss'/.£8 tertiaria (Lesquereux)' Knowlton, Oaulinites prehensus Brown, and A.ntholithes 

vitaciflora Brown. 

Occurrence: Near head of Kimball Creek, 30 miles north~ 

west of De Beque, Colo. 

Type in United States National Museum. 

Carpolithus, species. of 

Plate 15, figures 13-16 

These . fruitlike objects are figured as a matter of 

record, in the hope that the future may furnish evidence .for their identification. 

Occur;rence: Near head of Ute Trail, 30 miles northwest 

of De B, eque, Colo. · . 

Figured specimens in United States .National Museum. 
PLATES B~I.5 

. . ~~ 

.,· -

69 
PLATE 8 

FIGURE 1. Phenacocladus hendersoni Cockerell. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38581_ __________ ---------------------------- ---~----

FIGURE 2. Azolla berry Brpwn, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus; 38583 ___ ::; ___ :.._:... .:-:..-:'-:" __ -:-.,. _______________ ---- ______ -:- _ -- __ --------

FIGURES 3, 4. Asplenium eoligniticum Berry. U.S:Nat'.Mus . .3"8584, 38585:.._·:,. __ ;. _____________________________________ _ 

FIGURE 5. Pinus ball Brown, n.sp. Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas __________________________________ _ 

FIGURE 6. Potamogeton r~bus Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38586 _______ ..; __________________________________________ _ 

Page 

51 

52 

52 

53 

53 

FIGURES 7, 8. Salix longidcuminata Knowlton. On left of figure 8, Aralia wyomingensis Knowlton and Cockerell. U.S.Nat. 

Mus. pS587, 38588 ______ _____________________________________ -------- _ ------------------------ 54 

FIGURE 9. Ouercus drume.~~ Unger. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38589----- ----------------·------------------------------------- --- 55 
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY I' ROFESSION AL P PLATE 8 

5 3 

)(2 

2 

1 

6 

7 9 

FOSSIL PLANTS FROM THE GREEN RIVER 
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PA?ER 185 PLATE 9 

2 

1 

6 

5 

3 

7 8 10 

FOSSIL PLANTS FROM THE GREEN RIVER FORMATION. 
PLATE 9 

FIGURES 1, 2. Myrica minuta Knowlton. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38590 _____________ _ 

FIGURES 3-5. Banksia comptonifolia Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38591, 38592, 38593 ____________________ _ 

FIGURES 6-10. Salix cockerell Brown, n.sp. In figure 9 Salix longiacuminata K 

Nat.Mus. 38594, 38595, 38596; figure 10, University of Color 

71 

Page 

54 

57 

53 
PLATE 10 

FIGURES 1, 2. Oreodaphne coloradensis Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat;Mus. 38597, 38598------------------------------:-----.-- 57 FIGURE 3. Apocynospermum color.adensia Brown. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38600______ __ ___ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ ___ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ 65 

· FIGURE 4. Syringa coloradea Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 9694 _________________________________________ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 64 

FIGURES 5, 6. !lex coloradensis Brown, n.sp. Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas___________________________ 63 

FIGURE 7. Maytenus berryi Brown. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38601_~------------------------ ------------------------------ 61 FIGURE 8. Podogonium americanum Lesquereux. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38602____ _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ ___ ___ _ _ _ _ ___ __ __ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ 59 

FIGURE 9. Dodonaea viscosoides Berry. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38603------------------------------------------------------ 63 FIGURE 10. Koelreuteria viridijluminis (Hollick) Brown, n.comb. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38604_ __ __ _ __ _ _ ___ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 62 

Page 

72 

.. 
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

1 2 9 10 

FOSSIL PLANTS FROM THE GHEEN RIVER FORMATION. 
U.S. GlnOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 185 PLATE ll 

6 

7 

FOSSIL PLANTS .FROM THE GREEN RIVER FORMATION. 
PLATE 11 

FIGURES 1-4. Rhus variabilis (Newberry) Knowlton. Figure 1, University of C lo.; figure 2, Milwaukee 

ures 3, 4, U.S. Nat. Mus. 38606, 38607 __________________ -, _- __ - _ ~ .. - -------------------

FIGURE 5. Apocynophyllum roanense Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38608-- -- -, --- ---- ,.-----'--------------

FrGURE 6. Phyllites ouratea Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38609 __ ___________ ______ .. - ___ ----------------

FIGURE 7. Phyllites glandiferus Brown; n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38610 _____ _____ ___ ______ __________________ _ 

fig73 

Page 

59 

65 

.66 

66 
PLATE 12 

Page 

FIGURES 1-4. Cassia hesperia Brown. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38611,38612,38613, 38614 ___ , _______ ,___________________________ 58 

FIGURE 5. Fraxinus wieser Brown, n.sp. U .. S.Nat.Mus. 38616------------------------------------------------ ----- 64 

74 
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 185 PLATE 12 

1 

2 

1 -

4 

3 

FOSSIL PLANTS FROM THE GREEN R FORMATION. 
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER Ul5 PLATE 13 

2 

FOSSIL PI..ANTS FROM THE GREEN RIVER FORMATION. 
PLATE 13 

FIGURE 1. Hibiscus roanensis Bro'fn, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38617 _____________ -------------------------------------

FIGURE 2. Cucurbita glandulosa own. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38618 ______________ _________________________ --- -----------

FIGURES 3, 4. Sapindus dentoni L squereux. Agricultural and Mechanical Coli ge of Texas ___ ______ ------------------

FIGURE 5. Phyllites furcivena Bro n, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38619 ___________ ___________ - _- ____ - --------------------

FIGURE 6. Odostemon eocenia Bro n, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38620 _____________ - ------------------------------------

FIGURE 7. Phyllites ericoides Brow , n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38621_ __ ---- _______________ - _--------------------------

75 

Page 

63 

66 

61 

66 

57 

66 
PLATE 14 

Page 

Uchroma murata Brown, n.sp. Slightly reduced. U.8. Nat. Mus 38622 _______ ~ __ ------ _------ ----------------:- - ------ 64 

76 
U.S. SURVEY PROFESSI

FOSSIL PLANT FROM THE GHEEN RIVER FORMATION. 
U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 185 PLA'l'E 15 

X2 

3 4 

2 

1 

9 11 xz 

10 

5 

12 

13 

17 

19 

6 

16 

FOSSIL PLANTS FROM THE GREEN RIVER FORMATION. 
PLATE 15 

Pag" , 

FIGURES 1-7. Antholithes, species of. U;S.Nat.Mus. 38623, 38624, 38625, 38626, 38627, 38628, 38628a__________________ 67 FIGURE 8. Carpolithus cassioides Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38629 __________ ________________________ _ ·_ ____ _____ _ _ _ 67 

FIGURE 9. Carpolithu~ insectoides Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38630_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ ___ _ ____ _ ___ ___ 67 

FIGURE 10. Carpolithus vitaceus Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 3863L___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _____ __ __ 68 

FIGURE 11. Carpolithus alabaccus Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38632--- ----- --------------------------------------- 67 

FIGURE 12. Carpolithus paliuroides Brown, n.sp._ U.S.Nat.Mus. 38633-------------------- -----------------...,-------- 67 FIGURES 13-16. Carpolithus, species of. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38634, 38635, 38636, 38637 ______________ ._____________________ 68 

FIGURES 17, 18. ·carpolithus filiferus Brown; n.sp. Figure 17, U.S.Nat.Mus. 38638; figure 18, Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas_____________________________ ___ __________________________________________ 67 

FIGURE 19. Anacardites schinus Brown, n.sp. U.S.Nat.Mus. 38639 ___________ ____________ __________________ ---- __ __ 60 

77 

0