Rutaceae leaf fossils from the Late Oligocene (27.23 Ma) Guang River flora of northwestern Ethiopia

Fossil leaf compressions from the Late Oligocene (27.23 Ma) Guang River flora of northwestern Ethiopia include a new record of Vepris and the earliest record of Clausena and the subfamily Aurantioideae. These fossils, along with most other African rutaceous fossils, are associated with a tropical moist forest community. The large number of Rutaceae taxa in eastern Africa during the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene is likely due to a radiation within Africa or dispersal to Africa associated with the continental expansion of moist tropical forest during this time interval.