Flora
Fossil pollen (palynomorphs) include bryophyte and pteridophyte spores, gymnosperm pollen, and abundant angiosperm pollen, including Aquilapollenites striatus, Ilexpollenites compactus, Interpollis cf. I. supplingensis, and Tricolpites interangulus. The palynomorphs indicate an early Maastrichtian age (68-69 mya), which is supported by magnetostratigraphy. Magnetostratigraphy also shows that the Laramie Formation becomes progressively younger eastward as deposition followed the regression of the Western Interior Seaway.
Fossil leaves are abundant, especially in the shales and sandstones associated with coal. Dicot angiosperms dominate, with lesser amounts of ferns, palms, and herbaceous lycopods. Interestingly, conifers are rare. Common plants include “Ficus” planicostata, “Myrica” torreyi, Sabalites sp., Platanites marginata, and Marmarthia pearsonii.
| Color key |
Notes Uncertain or tentative data are in ; |
| Flora of the Laramie Formation | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Species | Location | Stratigraphic position | Abundance | Notes | Images |
|
Aquilapollenites |
Aquilapollenites striatus |
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|
“Ficus” |
“Ficus” planicostata |
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|
Ilexpollenites |
Ilexpollenites compactus |
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|
Interpollis |
Interpollis cf. I. supplingensis |
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|
Marmarthia |
Marmarthia pearsonii |
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|
“Myrica” |
“Myrica” torreyi |
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|
Platanites |
Platanites marginata |
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|
Sabalites |
Sabalites sp. |
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|
Tricolpites |
Tricolpites interangulus |
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