Leaf Fossil

[Amadon]

Hey Everyone!

Can someone tell me what type of tree or plant this leaf is from? I found it in my creek in northern VA.

Thanks.

[Fossildude19]

What County in VA? Where it was found will help to narrow down an ID.

What is the size on this as well.

Regards,

[Amadon]

It is in McLean which is in Fairfax County. It was found in a creek that leads eventually to the Potomac. The width appears to be 2 inches and the height from bottom of stem to top is 3 inches. Attached is a new photo with quarter. Thanks.

[Fossildude19]

Looks like that area may be mixed Triassic/Jurassic, from the geological map found HERE.

Not failiar with the flora from that area. Doesn't quite look like anything I've found in my Jurassic exposures.

Maybe one of the plant guys can weigh in.

Regards,

[Amadon]

I looked at the map---pretty interesting---and I pinpointed my location, it is a little to the right in the gray Proterozoic-Paleozoic.

[Amadon]

And it definitely describes this area... there is schist everywhere.

[Fossildude19]

Well, found in a creek bed, it could have been transported, either by glaciers or other means,... so that disqualifies the time period as a helpful diagnostic tool.

Regards,

[Amadon]

Touche. It looks like the modern ginkgo plant if you ask me. lol

[Fossildude19]

Well played, sir...well played. I would go with that. Nice find, btw.

There were ginkos in the Triassic/Jurassic.

I don't find them in my area, however.

Regards,

Edited April 22, 2012 by Fossildude19

[Auspex]

We have stream-exposed Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) terrestrial deposits here, and I think you found one of them

[flyguy784]

I'd be hard pressed to ID that as Eoginkoites. I don't see any sign of veination in what may be appearing to be "the leaf". Ginko foliage of the Triassic didn't really resemble our modern ginkos. Unfortunatly the preservation isn't so good.