Scaling rocky heights to learn a plant’s survival secrets

Scaling rocky heights to learn a plant’s survival secrets

Biologist Rose Marks scales a 100-metre quartzite cliff in South Africa to measure and take samples of the ‘resurrection’ plant (Myrothamnus flabellifolia), which can survive for years in a completely desiccated state. “Understanding what makes these plants so resilient could help us to develop crops that will survive drought,” says Marks. (Nature | 3 min read) (Jennie Lyn Pretorius for Nature)