GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Ferns are a very ancient family of plants. They predate the beginning of the Mesozoic era, 360 million years ago. By as early as the Triassic period, evidence of ferns related to several modern families appeared.

Detailed explanation-2: -So, the correct option is ‘Carboniferous period’

Detailed explanation-3: -The greatest abundance of ferns was late in the Carboniferous period (369-280 million years ago), this era is known as the “Age of Ferns". Many of the ferns found in fossil records are ancestors of modern, primitive fern families.

Detailed explanation-4: -Thus, many of the life habits found in Paleozoic ferns re-evolved in the Mesozoic, although on a narrower phylogenetic base than earlier. Within the confines of the diversity of body plans, Paleozoic ferns occupied a wide range of habitats and played many ecological roles.