Plant fossils are usually fragmental and poorly preserved, and this
tends to discourage most amateurs from an active interest in
paleobotany. However, in spite of these problems, much is known of the
evolution of plants, and plant fossils provide much information about
life of the past. In addition, certain plants are of considerable value
as indicators of ancient climatic conditions, and their remains have
played a large part in the formation of vast coal deposits.