Paleobotany

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

Paleobotany is part of paleontology. Paleophytology 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.

Related pages

• 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