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, Posidonia australis, is commonly found throughout the southern coastlines of Australia.<br />'The Guardian' reports that the species, Posidonia australis, is commonly found throughout the southern coastlines of Australia.<br />However, scientists were puzzled when they looked for genetic differences between samples that were as much as 111 miles apart.<br />Samples taken from various sites suggest there were 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 at the University of Western Australia, about <br />18,000 genetic markers were examined.<br />"The existing 200 square km of ribbon weed meadows appear to have expanded from a single, colonizing seedling." Jane Edgeloe, student researcher at the University of Western Australia, via 'The Guardian'.<br />Scientists believe that single seed originated about 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 />According to Edith Cowan University's Kathryn McMahon, previous genetic studies of other seagrasses <br />suggest the plants can live up to 100,000 years.<br />"They have a versatile growth pattern which contributes to this long life span." Jane Edgeloe, student researcher at the University of Western Australia, via 'The Guardian'
