Tulip tree's genome is 'molecular fossil'

[dipsydoodle]

The "extraordinary level of conservation" of genetic data in the tulip tree remains largely unchanged since the dinosaurs, a study suggests.

The species' genomic change is about 2,000 times slower than in humans, making it a "molecular fossil", a team of US researchers said.

The new information has affected our understanding of flowering plants' evolution, they added.

The findings have been published in the open access journal BMC Biology.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22151864

[enough]

1. In my neck of the woods, this tree is the first thing to pop out of the ground

in any sunny location where mowing ceases. Incredibly prolific. It's also one of the largest and tallest species around here. (SE PA)

This story is fascinating, thanks dipsydoodle.

[unc70]

2. You need to see the Joyce Kilmer forest

There are some of the largest you will find anywhere.

[Tanuki]

3. Interesting---thanks for this.

I have one in my yard, and the cardinals love to eat the seed pods. I usually collect some of the fallen flowers in the spring to float in a bowl of water as a table decoration. The flowers have a distinctly tropical look, even though it isn't a tropical tree.