'Biggest Plant on Earth' , Discovered off , Australia's Western Coast.<br />In Shark Bay off the west coast of Australia, scientists have discovered what they believe to be the largest plant on Earth.<br />'The Guardian' reports that the species, <br />Posidonia australis, is commonly found <br />throughout the southern coastlines of Australia. .<br />'The Guardian' reports that the species, <br />Posidonia australis, is commonly found <br />throughout the southern coastlines of Australia. .<br />However, scientists were puzzled when they <br />looked for genetic differences between <br />samples that were as much as 111 miles apart.<br />Samples taken from various sites suggest there were <br />not multiple specimens of Posidonia australis but a <br />single plant spanning just over three times the size of Manhattan.<br />According to Jane Edgeloe, a student researcher <br />at the University of Western Australia, about <br />18,000 genetic markers were examined. .<br />The existing 200 square km of ribbon weed <br />meadows appear to have expanded <br />from a single, colonizing seedling, Jane Edgeloe, student researcher at the <br />University of Western Australia, via 'The Guardian'.<br />Scientists believe that single seed originated about <br />4,500 years ago and remained relatively undisturbed <br />as it spread and grew over time.<br />The plant now forms a vast underground meadow which a huge array of marine animals call home, including turtles, dolphins, crabs and fish.<br />The plant now forms a vast underground meadow which a huge array of marine animals call home, including turtles, dolphins, crabs and fish.<br />According to Edith Cowan University's Kathryn McMahon, <br />previous genetic studies of other seagrasses <br />suggest the plants can live up to 100,000 years.<br />They have a versatile growth pattern <br />which contributes to this long life span, Jane Edgeloe, student researcher at the <br />University of Western Australia, via 'The Guardian'
