Cache Creek Sassafras Multiple Plant Fossil Leaves

Description: This is an example of a multiple leaves from a tree of the Lauraceae (Laurel Family) from the lacustrine deposits of the McAbee Flora of the Eocene of British Columbia, Canada. The deposit resulted from a fine layer of silt which built up over the years as a result of deposition of diatoms which bloomed in the lake each spring and died in the summer. This is a fine example of the preservation for which this biota is known. While most members of the Lauraceae are aromatic evergreen trees and shrubs the Sassafras is deciduous, losing its leaves for part of the year. This is an example of divergent evoklution wherein the Sassafras adapted to occupy a different environmental niche. The flora was dominated by conifers farther away from the lake, and elm, birch, beech, and alder near to the lakeshore. The location from which this specimen was collected has recently been acquired by the provincial government of British Columbia 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.