These seeds were well adapted to the land. Ferns and gymnosperms flourished and diversified on the earth for more than 200 million years before another innovation appeared. During part of this time, the Carboniferous Period, the abundant plant life provided the organic matter that was later transformed into coal. Ferns and gymnosperms still grow on the earth today. Most of our lumber and paper are made from their wood.
Ferns flourish in many tropical and temperate places around the world.
Flowering plants appear and flourish. These are the Angiosperms. About a hundred and thirty million years ago, a new kind of plant appeared. This plant developed two innovations. First, the new plants produced flowers.