Holly (Ilex sp.) leaf fossil. The fossil record indicates that the Ilex lineage was already widespread prior to the end of the Cretaceous period, 66 million years ago. This fossil dates back to the Paleocene period, 57 million years ago. Found in Menat, Puy-de-Dome, France.

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Photo credit: © PHILIPPE PSAILA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, angiosperm, angiosperms, aquifoliaceae, biological, biology, europe, european, extinct, flora, flowering, fossil, fossilised, fossilized, fossils, france, french, holly, ilex, leaf, nature, palaeobiological, palaeobiology, palaeontological, palaeontology, paleobiological, paleobiology, paleocene, paleontological, paleontology, plant, plants, prehistoric, prehistory