Exuding metal tree (5 photos)

If a crack or notch appears on a tree trunk, then from holes ooze a little juice - a liquid transported by xylem - water-repellent fabric. But there are also unexpected exceptions.





And not harmless moisture can flow, but a real poison. Not tree, but some kind of chemical plant. Meanwhile, as a representative the Pacific island of New Caledonia really demonstrates such abilities: as part of the tree sap Pycnandra acuminata - Pycnandra pointed quarter metal.



The fact is that the soil where the unique grows is formed rocks with a high nickel content. Such places are found on the planet where the element appeared on the surface as a result geological processes.

In such soil, plants do not take root well. But sometimes the mechanism of self-deception is launched: nickel is structurally similar to calcium and magnesium. The young plant takes root, grows, but is oversaturated with poisonous for him nickel and perishes.

But pyknandra grows and flourishes. Don't even die thinks despite the nickel content of 250 g/kg. And this, on wait a minute, 250 thousand times the average standard!





Due to the presence of the metal, the milky sap of the tree has azure or turquoise. That is, pyknandra is a kind of aristocrat world of trees with blue blood.

In general, high levels of metals are detrimental to plants. But this tree not only does not suffer, but also actively stores nickel. Actually, he has nowhere to go, because from his no place to escape. And the soil is like that.



How did it even happen? Most researchers consider that the defense mechanism has been triggered. At some point in time, the tree became accumulate nickel. After the leaves fall, it returns to the soil and saturates her. And other competitors cannot settle nearby, dine soil and threatening the monopoly of Pyknandra.



There are those who consider this phenomenon to be an accidental natural phenomenon. anomaly. In principle, this should not be. But the tree survived adapted. Grows to itself, despite the nickel content. disturb him no need, because the species is quite rare. Moreover, in the future it is possible to use such hyperaccumulators for purification polluted soils from toxic impurities (the process of phytoremediation) and even extraction of minerals from the soil with their low concentration.