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Glite Dictionary
Pecopteris

Pecopteris

1 9.9
A fossil fern with comb-like leaves from a very long time ago
  • noun
  • /ˌpɛkəˈtɪrɪs/
  • Specialized
: Pecopteris
  • The finely divided fronds of Pecopteris make it easily recognizable in fossil collections.

Examples

  • Paleobotanists have studied Pecopteris to understand ancient plant communities.

  • The Pecopteris fossils were discovered in a coal mine.

  • Fossil specimens of Pecopteris are common in many Carboniferous coal seams.

  • Many Pecopteris species thrived during the Carboniferous period.

  • The paleontologist discovered a well-preserved specimen of Pecopteris during the excavation.

  • Fossils of Pecopteris provide valuable insights into the vegetation of the Carboniferous period.

  • The leaves of Pecopteris resemble those of modern tree ferns.

Surface Forms

Pecopteris singular
Pecopterides plural

Etymology

Pecopteris comes from parts that mean 'comb' and 'fern', from pecten and pteris, so it literally means a 'comb-like fern'. Fossils of Pecopteris have leaves split into many narrow parts like the teeth of a comb, which is why the name fits.