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Fern spores wiggle around like insects [1]

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Date: 2024-04-21

If I didn't know these were fern spores, I'd think I was looking at a mountain of squirming insects. It's freaky and mesmerizing to watch! The video embedded below explains why the spores behave this way.



"Look at the underside of a fern leaf. Those rows of orange clusters aren't tiny insects; they're spores waiting to be catapulted away. Once a spore lands, it grows into a tiny plant, from which fern sperm swim away, searching for an egg to fertilize. Think of that next time you're hiking in the forest."

See Also: Gorgeous footage of mushrooms wisping spores

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[1] Url: https://boingboing.net/2024/04/21/fern-spores-wiggle-around-like-insects.html

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