Paleobotany

A fossil birch leaf from the early Eocene of Washington State, about 49 million years ago

Paleobotany (Palaeobotany) is part of paleontology (palaeontology). Paleophytology (Palaeophytology) is a synonym.

Paleobotanists study plant fossils from the past. Paleobotany is also about trying to understand past environments and the history of agriculture. Fossil pollen and spores are important for studying the history of plants. Micropaleontology and palynology both include studying fossil plant pollen and spores.

Note: terms starting with Paleo- are spelt Palaeo- in the English version of the English language.

Paleobotany Media

An unpolished hand sample of the Lower Devonian Rhynie Chert from Scotland
Ginkgoites huttonii, Middle Jurassic, Yorkshire, UK. Leaves preserved as compressions. Specimen in Munich Palaeontological Museum, Germany.
Rhynia, Lower Devonian Rhynie Chert, Scotland, UK. Transverse section through a stem preserved as a silica petrifaction, showing preservation of cellular structure.
Crossotheca hughesiana Kidston, Middle Pennsylvanian, Coseley, near Dudley, UK. A lyginopteridalean pollen organ preserved as an authigenic mineralization (mineralized in situ). Specimen in Sedgwick Museum, Cambridge, UK.
Lycopod axis (branch) from the Middle Devonian of Wisconsin.
Stigmaria, a common fossil tree root. Upper Carboniferous of northeastern Ohio.
External mold of Lepidodendron from the Upper Carboniferous of Ohio.

Coal, a black rock, and a solid fossil fuel formed from fossil plants
Coal balls, plant remains form strange balls in coal deposits, but are not made of coal
Rhynie chert, a fossil deposit with extraordinary plant fossils