Definition
Lyginopteridales represents an extinct order of seed ferns within the broader group of Pteridospermae. They are among the earliest known seed-bearing plants. Think of them as the great-grandparents of modern seed plants. They possessed a combination of fern-like and seed-bearing characteristics. They were crucial for the evolutionary transition. They predate many modern plant groups. They provide important clues about plant reproduction. They have helped trace the evolution of seeds.