Fossil fern showcases ancient chromosomes

Near-perfect 180-million-year-old sample shows the plants haven't changed much

WELL PRESERVED  A 180-million-year-old fern fossil discovered in Sweden preserves the plant’s intricate interior architecture. A micrograph of a cross-section of the stem exposes a central cylinder surrounded by outer layers of tissue.

Courtesy of B. Bomfleur

After 180 million years buried in volcanic rock in the southern tip of Sweden, a recently discovered fern fossil looks almost as good as new.