Cordaites

/kɔːdeɪˈaɪtiːz/ noun

Definition

A genus of large extinct tree-like plants from the Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras with long, sword-shaped leaves.

Etymology

Named in the 19th century, possibly from a mistaken connection to Cordoba, Spain; the name stuck despite the geographical error. The suffix -ites indicates a fossil organism.

Kelly Says

These plants grew up to 40 meters tall and dominated ancient coal swamps, and their remains literally became the coal we mine today—they're quite literally powering our world from 300 million years in the past.

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