Sequoia and Fagus Plant Fossils from Cache Creek

Description: This plate displays fagus and sequoia leaves from the lacustrine deposits of the McAbee Flora of the Eocene of British Columbia, Canada. The McAbee Fossil Beds site is a Konservat-Lagerstätten owing to the exceptional preservation of the flora and fauna. The fossils are the most diverse known in British Columbia for plants and insects of the Eocene. Only a small fraction of the diversity has yet to be formally described. Some 76 plant genera are known so far. The fossil site was recently acquired by the British Columbia provincial government and declared a heritage site. As a consequence specimens like this that were collected from before the declaration will become increasingly in demand as no further material will be available.