Ginkgo cranei leaf

Matrix measures approx: 5.5" x 4"

Ginkgo leaf measures approx: 2" x 1.5"

Ginkgo cranei is an extinct species of ginkgo leaf from the Paleocene epoch, known primarily from fossil deposits in North America. It belongs to the family Ginkgoaceae, which has a long evolutionary history dating back to the Jurassic period.

Morphological Description

The leaves of Ginkgo cranei are typically fan-shaped with a variable degree of lobation. The venation pattern is dichotomous, where veins repeatedly fork as they extend toward the margins. This venation style provides efficient nutrient distribution and resilience to environmental stress.

Paleoenvironment & Significance

Fossils of Ginkgo cranei are found in the Paleocene deposits of western North America. The species thrived in warm, temperate environments, forming part of the diverse post-Cretaceous flora. Its presence indicates a relatively humid and stable climate, suggesting that ginkgos played a role in forest ecosystems recovering after the end-Cretaceous extinction.

Comparison with Modern Ginkgo

While Ginkgo cranei shares many similarities with the extant Ginkgo biloba, it differs slightly in leaf morphology. These distinctions help paleobotanists trace the evolutionary history of the ginkgo lineage, which is often described as a "living fossil" due to its remarkable morphological stability over millions of years.