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What plant saw the rise and fall of the dinosaurs?

Suggested Reading—>Click here.

Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.

Killer Picks: Wollemi Pine, survivor from the age of the dinosaurs—>Click here.

Japanese Painted Fern, Dawn Redwood (Grow a piece of the prehistoric jungle!)—>Click here.

Ginkgo Tree-to-be Kit, (270 million years old species), National Geographic Mag.—>Click here.

The whisk fern (Psilotum nudum) [si lo' tum nu' dum] is a relict, a leftover from antiquity. It grew on the low-lying continents before Pangaea ever formed. It was there when the first dragonflies took to the air. It was already 200 million years ancient when the dinosaurs ruled. It is a survivor of geological upheaval,
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climate changes, and asteroid impacts.

The whisk fern is a simple plant; green branches above ground, hence its common name and a rhizome (horizontal stem) underground. It is one of the first vascular plants; that is, a plant with specialized cells, phloem to transport sugars and other synthesized compounds, and xylem to transport water and nutrients.

The whisk fern can be found in the tropics and subtropics around the world. In areas of high rainfall, it will even be found growing on trees or mossy rocks.

But not only was the whisk fern one of the first vascular plants, it stands unique among all the vascular plants on Earth today. It has no leaves or roots. Photosynthesis takes place in the branches and a symbiotic fungus helps the plant absorb nutrients.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has some great photographs of whisk fern (Psilotum nudum). Click on the link to view some great photographs of this oddity.

http://www.biol.vt.edu/greenhouse/plantlist/PSILOTOPHYTA.htm

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

Unique Professionally Designed Gardens

Springhill Nursery®

Spring Hill Nursery has unique gardens professionally designed by experts to take the guesswork out of gardening. Whether you are looking for a three season garden, foundation garden, or a garden to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, Spring Hill Nursery has created a step-by-step design just for you. Click here - $20 off your first order at Spring Hill Nursery!

Japanese Painted Fern

Spring Hill Nursery®

Ferns create visions of cool, peaceful places. This Japanese variety evokes the shady tranquility of its native Oriental gardens.

Lovely clumps 12-20'' high with a spread of up to 36'' have a weeping habit and exquisite foliage that appears ''painted'' with silver. Japanese Painted Fern are ideal for a shady niche in a rock garden.

Shipped in 3'' pot. Deer tend to avoid. Zone 3 to 7.
Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum'

Japanese Painted Fern Ships In The Spring Click here - Save $20 on $50 order

Dawn Redwood

Spring Hill Nursery®

Grow a piece of the prehistoric jungle!

This amazing tree was thought to be extinct for over 2 MILLION years until, by a stroke of luck, a few living specimens were found in China in 1941.

Not simply a curiosity, it is also an outstanding conifer with dense, attractive, needlelike foliage. Deciduous, the leaves turn a stunning gold in autumn. The shaggy bark is cinnamon brown and exfoliates in strips.

One of the fastest growing conifers in the U.S. today. Reaches 70-100' tall. Shipped as 2-3' Bareroot. Zone 4 to 8. Metasequoia glybtostroboides

Dawn Redwood Ships In The Spring Click here - Save $20 on $50 order

Ginkgo Tree-to-be Kit

National Geographic®

A sacred tree in Asia, the ginkgo biloba species has survived on our planet for approximately 270 million years and is a symbol of long life and memory. Extremely hardy and resilient with an unusual chemistry that is often studied for its medicinal benefits, it is thought to be a memory enhancer and antioxidant. It is a living fossil, one of the most ancient trees known to humans, and when cultivated it can survive for 1,000 years or more. Click here.

A wonderful way to celebrate milestones such as births and marriages, this unique gift kit includes everything you need to successfully start and grow a ginkgo, along with an aluminum tag to place a personalized inscription on the tree. Often planted ceremonially in memory of loved ones, this tree may very well shade your family for centuries to come. Click here.

Recommended for USDA hardiness zones 2 through 9, which includes most of the continental US with the exception of southernmost Florida and Texas, plus California south of the San Diego area.
Can grow up to 20 feet tall in ten years.

Shop the National Geographic Store. All purchases support research and education.

Wollemi Pine

National Geographic®

This survivor from the age of the dinosaurs is one of the greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species, belonging to a 200-million-year-old plant family thought to have been extinct for more than two million years.

Previously known only from fossil records, it was presumed extinct until a single tree was found in the Wollemi National Park, Australia, in 1994. Subsequent research discovered 100 adult trees that have survived in a single canyon in this wild and rugged area. Click here to view canyon, trees and fossil record.

You can assist in the conservation effort and enjoy the unique opportunity to ensure the continued survival of this rare species by giving the tree as a gift or growing your own. Suitable for indoor container gardening. Can also be used as a landscape tree in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 7, which includes New England, the Midatlantic states, and much of the Midwest.

Comes with a care manual with the full story about the discovery and fascinating history of the Wollemi pine. Tree will be approximately 8"H when shipped. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plants will fund ongoing conservation research. Click here to get your Wollemi Pine and assist in the conservation effort.

National Geographic Magazine

National Geographic®

You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.

Additional benefits include:

As many as five wall map supplements throughout the year in issues of the magazine
A personalized Membership Certificate
Special discounts on selected products
The opportunity to examine special Society products free in your home before deciding to purchase
The privilege of traveling the world with the Society's educational travel tour programs
The satisfaction of supporting important research, conservation, education, and exploration projects

Join the Society and bring the adventure of National Geographic into your home! Click here.