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Glite Dictionary
🌲 Extinct tall trees 🌲 Ancient tree genus
Cordaites

Cordaites

1 9.9
An extinct group of tall ancient trees found as fossils in coal deposits
  • proper noun
  • /ˈkɔrdəˌeɪts/
  • Specialized
: Cordaites
  • The leaves of Cordaites were long and narrow, unlike most modern trees.

Examples

  • Many coal deposits contain remains of ancient Cordaites trees.

  • Fossils of Cordaites help scientists understand the structure of prehistoric forests.

  • The ancient forests were dominated by Cordaites.

  • Many fossils of Cordaites have been found in North America.

  • Fossils of Cordaites reveal that these ancient trees could grow over 100 feet tall during the Paleozoic era.

  • Scientists studied the Cordaites to understand more about ancient forest ecosystems and their evolution.

  • The characteristics of Cordaites suggest that they thrived in wet, swampy environments millions of years ago.

Surface Forms

Cordaites main

Etymology

A helpful way to remember Cordaites is to think of cord ('rope') because their long, narrow leaves and upright form make them seem rope-like, and that image fits this group of extinct Paleozoic trees.