A Catalogue of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Plants of North America

work by Knowlton

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July 17, 2026

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A Catalogue of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Plants of North America is a significant work by U.S. paleobotanist Frank Hall Knowlton. This book, published in 1919, is a valuable reference for understanding fossilized plants from North America during the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras, which span from approximately 145.5 million to 2.6 million years ago. Knowlton specialized in the microscopic study of fossil plant structures, leading to the discovery of many species that thrived during these periods. His work also contributed to the understanding of prehistoric climates based on geologic evidence. Paleobotany, the study of fossil plants, is a branch of paleontology that helps in dating rock strata and understanding ancient environments.12

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Frank Hall Knowlton
…of a valuable reference book, A Catalogue of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Plants of North America (1919). The same year, he published a paper, “Evolution of Geologic Climates,” that summarized his conclusions about the Earth’s climate before the Pleistocene Epoch (i.e., prior to 2.6 million years ago). Although the work…
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…of a valuable reference book, A Catalogue of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic Plants of North America (1919). The same year, he published a paper, “Evolution of Geologic Climates,” that summarized his conclusions about the Earth’s climate before the Pleistocene Epoch (i.e., prior to 2.6 million years ago). Although the work…
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