Tree from 2,000-year-old seed is doing well

June 12, 2008 By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID , AP Science Writer

(AP) -- Just over three years old and about four-feet tall, Methuselah is growing well. "It's lovely," Dr. Sarah Sallon said of the date palm, whose parents may have provided food for the besieged Jews at Masada some 2,000 years ago.

Similar stories from PHYSorg:

Sapling thrives from 2,000-year-old seed

Nov 24, 2005 | 3 / 5 (6) | 0

Study reveals demographic trend of the Jewish population in Broward County

Mar 10, 2009 | not rated yet | 0

New and deadly viruses passed through sweet food and domestic animals

Apr 03, 2008 | 4.6 / 5 (22) | 4

New deep-sea coral discovered

Mar 05, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 1

Research finds koalas are no dwarves

Dec 11, 2008 | 4 / 5 (2) | 0

• googleplex - Jun 12, 2008
  • Rank: 4.3 / 5 (3)

  The researchers have had a look at the plant's DNA, however, and found it shares just over half its genes with modern date cultivars.

  
  This sounds too small and possibly incorrect. Different species can share 99% of DNA. So only having 50% DNA leaves a vast difference between the date palms.
  Wonderful work and I look forward to authentic ancient dates in the stores. I expect this will spawn many attempts to grow ancient seeds.
  • report abuse
  • • Current rank
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5