1. the branch of paleontology that studies fossil plants and their evolution
Usage: also spelled paleobotany in U.S. English; academic/scientific field

Examples

• Palaeobotany has revealed how ancient forests looked millions of years ago.
• The researcher specializes in palaeobotany and studies fossilized leaves from the Mesozoic era.
• Through palaeobotany, scientists can understand how plant life adapted to climate changes in Earth's history.
• Palaeobotany combines techniques from geology, biology, and chemistry to analyze fossil specimens.
• The museum's palaeobotany collection includes preserved ferns and seed ferns from the Carboniferous period.