What was the very first plant in the world?

Plants changed the atmosphere, built soil and created ecosystems that allowed animals like us to thrive. But first they had to make their way from the water to the land.

By: Erin Potter, Binghamton University, State University of New York, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 16, 2026

Words: 1,077

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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By Erin Potter, Binghamton University, State University of New York

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

What was the very first plant in the world? – Ivy, age 6, Phoenix

Long before dinosaurs roamed the land, Earth looked very different from the planet we know today. Around 500 million years ago, most …

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