#Eusocial behaviour in plants? Yes, it's a thing! Epiphytic staghorn #ferns on Lord Howe Island have been observed in the wild to engage in eusocial behaviour, with individuals foregoing reproduction to focus on building habitat structures that support the collective success of their colony.

#FernThursday

https://theconversation.com/social-plants-in-the-wild-staghorn-ferns-grow-in-colonies-to-improve-water-storage-for-all-members-156377

Social plants: in the wild, staghorn ferns grow in colonies to improve water storage for all members

A colony-building fern that grows in treetops on Lord Howe Island has adopted a lifestyle similar to social insects, turning our understanding of the evolution of biological complexity on its head.

The Conversation
#DailyAustralia - Gippsland palms and ephyte ferns in subtropical rainforest of Royal National Park, NSW

#Rainforest #NewSouthWales #Australia #Bloomscrolling #RoyalNationalPark #FernThursday