What groups of terrestrial plants that existed in late Paleozoic time survive today?

The late Paleozoic era was a period in Earth's history lasting from about 323 million years ago to 252 million years ago. The late Paleozoic comprises two geologic periods: the Carboniferous period (359-299 million years ago) and the Permian period (299-252 million years ago). It was a time of significant geological and climatic changes, such as the assembly of the supercontinent Pangea, glaciations, and significant changes in the climate. During this era, various groups of plant species evolved, some of which continue to exist today.

Some of the major groups of terrestrial plants that originated in the late Paleozoic era and still survive today are: 1. Seed Ferns (Pteridosperms): Seed ferns are ancient vascular plants that reproduce by seeds. They are not true ferns, but they share some common features with modern ferns, such as frond-like leaves. Some examples of seed ferns are Glossopteris and Neuropteris. 2. Horsetails (Sphenopsids): Horsetails are vascular plants, characterized by jointed stems with "whorls" of branches emerging at regular intervals. They have a deep-rooted rhizome system that allows them to spread and colonize new areas. The most common living genus of horsetails is Equisetum. 3. Clubmosses (Lycopsids): Clubmosses are a group of vascular plants that belong to the phylum Lycopodiophyta. They have simple, needle-like leaves and reproduce by spores. Clubmosses are an ancient group, and most of the living species belong to the genus Lycopodium. 4. Ferns (Pteridophyta): Ferns are a group of vascular plants that reproduce by spores and have large, divided leaves. They are an ancient group of plants, and their lineage can be traced back to the late Paleozoic era. There are thousands of living fern species belonging to several different families. 5. Gymnosperms: Gymnosperms are a group of seed-producing plants that include conifers, cycads, ginkgos, and gnetophytes. They evolved during the late Paleozoic era and were the dominant group of plants during the Mesozoic era. Gymnosperms produce "naked seeds" that are not enclosed in a fruit, unlike angiosperms (flowering plants). These are the major groups of terrestrial plants that originated from the late Paleozoic era and still have surviving members today. Some of the plants have remained relatively unchanged for millions of years, while others have undergone considerable evolutionary changes.