Cordaitopsida

The Cordaitopsida were an extinct class of gymnosperms that were dominant during the Carboniferous Period, approximately 359 to 299 million years ago. They are considered to be closely related to modern conifers and are generally thought to be their ancestors.12

These plants were typically trees, reaching heights of up to 30 meters (100 feet). They were characterized by branched structures and large, leathery, strap-shaped leaves, which were much larger than those of true conifers. The reproductive structures of Cordaitopsida, including pollen and seed cones, were compound and open, with bracts surrounding pollen sacs or ovules. Fossil evidence suggests they inhabited various environments, from floodplains and swamps to drier upland areas.1234