Overview

• The fern's genome is more than 50 times larger than the human genome.
• The DNA from each cell would stretch over 100 meters if unraveled.
• T. oblanceolata dethroned the Japanese plant Paris japonica for the largest genome.
• Large genomes in plants often result in slower growth and less efficient photosynthesis.
• Researchers used flow cytometry to measure the fern's genome size.