The first step that we are going to proceed to take before discovering the meaning of the term paleobotany is to know its etymological origin. In this case, we have to establish that it is a neologism that has been formed from the union of three lexical components of Greek:
-The word “palaiós”, which can be translated as “time ago”.
-The noun “botáne”, which is synonymous with “herb”.
-The suffix “iké”, which is used to shape nouns within the different areas of study.
Likewise, we have to establish that this aforementioned term appeared for the first time in the 19th century, specifically in 1872.
Paleobotany is called the scientific discipline that is dedicated to the analysis of the remains of plants that were alive in ancient times. Fossils constitute its most important study material.
When, over time , a plant matter goes through a fossilization process, it becomes petrified. Usually its hardest parts are preserved in good condition, while the softer areas are usually not maintained. Paleobotany works with these elements to generate knowledge about the investigated specimens.
Specifically, it is important to know that paleobotany studies plant fossils of different types, among which are the following:
-The molds and countermolds.
-Impressions and compressions.
-Permineralizations.
-Carbonization.
-The so-called fossil spores.
-Copal and amber.
Just as paleoanthropology (which is oriented towards the study of fossils to understand the evolution of human beings) is mentioned as human paleontology , paleobotany is usually called plant paleontology . Experts in this science - that is, paleobotanists - examine everything from seeds to fruits, including flowers, leaves, stems and the rest of the parts of a plant.
It is important to keep in mind that the flora we have today is a consequence of multiple events that occurred in the past. This evolution is explored by paleobotany, which must also pay attention to geological development, climate changes and other issues that affect the evolutionary process of plants.
Paleobotany carries out studies of different kinds. You can focus on taxonomy , anatomy , morphology , and phytogeography , to name a few possibilities. It also points to the classification of species . Its objective, at a general level, is the integration of this knowledge to reconstruct the evolution of all plants.
In Spain it must be established that there is an important and interesting collection of Paleobotany in the National Museum of Natural Sciences located in Madrid. Among its most relevant pieces, the following can be highlighted:
-The Quercus from the upper Miocene of La Cerdanya, Lérida.
-Stramatolite from the Precambian of Bolivia.
-Annularia from the lower Permian of Guadalajara.
-Sigillaria from the upper Carboniferous of León.
-The redwood branch from the lower Miocene of Rubielos de Mora (Teruel)
-The Carboniferous Pteridosperm of León.
These are just a few examples of the more than 20,000 copies that this collection includes. It is important to know that it covers all geological ages.