|
The Clarkia Flora
of
northern
Idaho.
The first discovery of fossils in the Clarkia area was in 1972
during the construction of a snow mobile racetrack. The fossils,
primarily plant remains, are preserved in the sediments of a
Miocene Lake bed. The lake was formed fifteen to fifteen and
one half million years ago by the damming of a drainage basin
very similar to the present day St. Maries River drainage basin.
The ancient lake was relatively narrow and as deep as 100 to
150 meters. Because of cold, anoxic bottom water and a high
rate of sedimentation, preservation of the local biota was
excellent. During the last 15 million years this area has remained
tectonically stable, resulting in little post depositional change of
any biota remains trapped in the sediments. Leaves often show
original fall colors (brown, red, and yellow). Some even
contain Chloroplasts and show the original green color.
Biochemistry, unique in each modern genera of plant species
correlates well with similar fossil species.
View the
flora
View the collection locations
Contact information
|