Impact on Human Society

       Permission granted by Michael Farabee      

       Humans use vascular, seedless plants for many reasons, including decorative, functional, and nutritional. Ferns are grown for pleasure in many people’s gardens and households and horsetails are used to line artificial ponds and lakes. A household that has ferns and other small plants feels very natural and comfortable and it also improves the oxygen flow in the house. Ferns and fiddleheads are also used in some gourmet recipes, which are supposed to be delicious yet strange vegetarian dishes. These plants are also used for pharmaceutical reasons, to cure infections and headaches. The full extent of medicinal uses for vascular seedless plants has not been fully discovered, and scientists are continuing to do research on the different chemicals these plants have to offer. 

           The older, decomposed remains of these plants have become fuel sources in the form of coal. During the Devonian and Carboniferous eras, vascular seedless plants dominated and grew to enormous heights. The remains of these plants of the periods have since become coal and energy sources. Once other forms of natural fuel have run out, coal will be a final fuel resort.