In the Mesozoic Era, which group of plants saw a significant rise?

During the Mesozoic Era, flowering plants, known scientifically as angiosperms, experienced a significant rise in prominence. This era, spanning from approximately 252 to 66 million years ago, is often referred to as the "Age of Dinosaurs," but it was also a crucial time for plant evolution.

The development of flowering plants brought about important adaptations that enhanced their reproductive success. Flowers allowed for more efficient pollination, often involving animals, which helped in the spread and diversification of these plants. Furthermore, angiosperms co-evolved with pollinators, leading to a variety of forms and strategies that improved their chances of reproduction and survival in a changing environment.

While conifers were already established and continued to thrive during this period, the rise of flowering plants marked a new phase in plant evolution, leading to the dominance of angiosperms in many ecosystems by the end of the Mesozoic. Ferns and mosses, on the other hand, while present, did not see the same significant uptick in diversity and prevalence as the flowering plants did during this era. The Mesozoic was pivotal for the evolution of angiosperms, setting the stage for their future dominance in terrestrial ecosystems.