Dating back to the Triassic period, Baiera darleyensis highlights the ancient origin of the Ginkgoaceae family in Australia. The species was described by Frederick Chapman in 1927 from fossil deposits located at Bald Hill, near Bacchus Marsh. These geological findings indicate that the genus flourished in humid valley environments millions of years before the rise of flowering plants.
The leaf fossils display a distinct fan-like outline with a deeply incised lamina. The division forms narrow, elongated lobes that bifurcate several times from the base to the apex. This pattern of dichotomous venation and highly divided leaves is characteristic of the extinct genus Baiera, distinguishing it from the less divided leaves of contemporary genus Ginkgoites.
The discovery of this species sheds light on the Triassic recovery of vegetation in the Southern Hemisphere. Important aspects include:
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