Equisetales (Noun)
Meaning
Lower tracheophytes in existence since the Devonian.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Equisetales, an order of ancient plants, were one of the earliest forms of vascular plants that dominated Earth's landscapes during the Devonian period.
- Some of the earliest known vascular plants were from the division Equisetales, with species still in existence today as remnants of those early life forms.
- During the Devonian, plants from the Equisetales division first started appearing on land and evolving alongside the changing climate and environment.
- Many modern plants that are considered living fossils have roots tracing back to the early Equisetales species from over 400 million years ago.
- Despite having lived on Earth for millions of years, some modern descendants of Equisetales are small, and non-woody and relatively unremarkable, bearing little resemblance to their towering ancient ancestors.