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Based on palaeobotanical material preserved at the University of Genoa, Italy (DIP.TE.RIS.), a revision of the Early Oligocene flora of Santa Giustina, as well as the 1916 monograph of Principi, was undertaken. It is shown that apart from members of the Lauraceae family, Eotrigonobalanus furcinervis and Sloanea olmediaefolia were dominant in the flora, which was mainly composed of warmth-demanding species. The site is primarily characterized by remnants of the vegetation developed under warm and moist climate and abundant water supply. A few additional plants from the neighboring zonal vegetation are also present. The flora is quite reminiscent of that of the Tard Clay Formation, part of the Inner Carpathian Region, providing a proven link to the floristic relationships of these areas. Up to the Pre-Neogene, the Inner Carpathian Region and the surrounding Alpine-Carpathian-Dinaric Region was composed of a composite terrane that 1) existed independently from Stable Europe, and, 2) had a much more southerly position than today. This terrane collage was sharply bordered from all directions except west, as is supported by new evidences of the floristic affinities with the Santa Giustina flora.

Leaves of Sloanea elliptica (Andreánszky) Z. Kvaèek & Hably and S. peolai (Principi) Hably, Tamás & Cioppi with preserved organic structures were found during the study of Principi’s collection from the Oligocene flora of Santa Giustina. Fossil leaves of Sloanea elliptica have so far been recorded exclusively from the Palaeogene Basin of the Inner Carpathian Region, i.e. from the Lower Oligocene strata of Hungary and Slovenia, whereas S. peolai has been described from a single locality, Chiavon in Italy. Organic structure of S. peolai hitherto has not been recorded. The mass occurrence of Sloanea elliptica in the fossil assemblage of Santa Giustina indicates that its area was much more extensive than it was presumed. It was a characteristic element mainly of Oligocene floras, and even predominated them. This is the first record of the co-occurrence of two Sloanea species described on the basis of leaf remains. During the study 6 types and more than 30 illustrated specimens published in Principi's monograph were revised and identified as S. elliptica.