Illinois Featured Content

  • A fern’s ‘zombie’ fronds sprout unusual roots

    Feb 26, 2024 5:15 pm by New York TimesIllinois in the News
    The moss-covered stems of decaying fronds, where roots have sprouted anew, anchor in the soil and provide nutrients. Photo by James Dalling

    Images

    • The moss-covered stems of decaying fronds, where roots have sprouted anew, anchor in the soil and provide nutrients. Photo by James Dalling

    New York Times (Feb. 25) 'This is completely unknown in any other plant in the world'” says Jim Dalling, a professor and forest ecologist at the U. of I.,  who discovered the fern while searching for a completely unrelated plant.