In the waters off the western coast of Australia, scientists have discovered the largest living plant. Posidonia australis is a form of seagrass that sprawls for 112 miles underwater in Shark Bay. The plant easily spreads underwater because of its cloning capabilities. Scientists sampled the seagrass in various areas of Shark Bay and were surprised to find that DNA showed it was one single plant. By cloning itself, the seagrass will continue to grow and expand further into the Australian waters. Cloning is incredibly rare, but the environmental conditions in the water of Shark Bay made it possible for Posidonia australis to grow into the largest living plant on Earth.
Image via Rachel Austin
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