1. An extinct tree-like plant of the Carboniferous period, related to modern horsetails, characterized by jointed stems and whorled branches.
Usage: paleobotany; geology

Examples

• Calamites fossils are commonly found in coal deposits from the Carboniferous era.
• The jointed structure of calamites made them well-adapted to swampy environments.
• Paleontologists study calamites to understand ancient plant evolution.
• Calamites grew alongside early ferns and seed ferns in prehistoric forests.
• The hollow stems of calamites resembled those of modern bamboo.