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Massive trees, bioluminescent mushrooms, flowers shaped like birds, and plants that blur the line between animal and flora – could these really exist beyond a movie? Think again!
While we might not know any blue, 3-meter tall beings just yet, Pandora isn’t as far from Earth as we might think. Many of the plant life featured in the movie Avatar actually shares a resemblance to discoveries already made here on Earth. Let’s take a look at 10 pieces of growing evidence.
10. The Majestic Giant Trees
Imagine the largest tree you've ever seen, then multiply that by 10, and you might be getting close to the sheer size of a giant sequoia. These colossal trees can only be found in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California and are part of the cypress family.
The tallest tree on Earth is a coast redwood named Hyperion. Standing at an impressive 115.5 meters (379.1 feet), it's roughly the height of a 38-story building. (While estimates on the exact height of a story vary, this gives you a good sense of its towering presence.)
When it comes to volume, General Sherman, a giant sequoia, reigns supreme. It’s believed to be the largest living organism on Earth. For those with a love for precision, it’s the largest known single-stem tree with a trunk volume of 1,487 cubic meters (52,508 cubic feet).
Weighing in at a staggering 1.2 million kilograms (2.7 million pounds) and with a trunk circumference of 31 meters (102 feet) at ground level, General Sherman may not be as massive as Pandora’s Hometree, but it’s still absolutely enormous.
Giant sequoias seem to defy natural death and some have been found to be over 3,000 years old. This longevity is likely due to their fire-resistant bark, which can reach up to 0.9 meters (3 feet) thick. The motto of these trees could certainly be ‘just keep growing!’
9. The Timid Plant
A plant that folds its leaves upon contact may seem like something straight out of the Avatar fantasy universe, but while the flora of Pandora react to magnetic fields, Earth’s own Mimosa pudica offers a similar phenomenon.
Native to tropical regions, Mimosa pudica is often classified as an invasive weed. When disturbed by air movement or physical contact, its leaves curl inwards, which gives rise to its name. ‘Pudica’ comes from Latin, meaning ‘shy,’ ‘ful,’ or ‘shrinking away.’
In response to touch, the plant secretes chemicals that prompt water to leave its cells. This causes the plant to 'deflate,' causing the leaves to fold inward.
This plant has even more surprises. In some regions, it’s used for medicinal purposes, ranging from a pain reliever to a cure for insomnia, and even as a treatment for snake bites.
8. The Luminescent Mushroom
While our forests haven’t yet embraced the glowing beauty seen in Avatar, many types of fungi naturally glow in the dark. One of the most captivating examples is Mycena chlorophos, a Japanese mushroom that emits a bright green light as soon as it’s dark.
This glow is produced through the same biochemical process that allows creatures like the anglerfish to light up the deep sea. The mushroom contains a compound called luciferin, which reacts with oxygen and the enzyme luciferase to create a glow similar to a glow stick’s light.
7. The Algae That Makes the Ocean Sparkle
Another stunning glow-in-the-dark organism comes from an unexpected place—the ocean! A type of algae, Noctiluca scintillans (known as ‘sea sparkle’), creates breathtaking displays of glittering shores on the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico.
These tiny life forms are so small that thousands can fit into a single drop of water. They react to movement, such as waves crashing or a kayak paddle, and emit a glowing blue light in the motion’s wake. Some scientists think that Noctiluca scintillans uses its glow to deter predators or to signal larger predators to eat its own predators.
Fish generally avoid these glowing patches. Some researchers believe that the ammonia released by Noctiluca scintillans irritates fish, though it doesn’t appear to be toxic.
6. The Flower That Resembles a Bird
The scientific name Strelitzia reginae doesn’t quite capture the beauty of this stunning flower. Its common name, ‘bird of paradise,’ is far more fitting. These plants grow up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall in 3 to 5 years, and when they bloom, their flowers resemble vibrant birds. They could easily fit into the world of Pandora.
Currently, the bird of paradise holds the title of Los Angeles, California’s official flower, though it originates from South Africa. These plants have even been used in traditional medicine to alleviate allergy symptoms. However, always consult a healthcare provider before trying it yourself.
Surprisingly, these plants are relatively easy to cultivate, even in cooler climates. So, if you have a garden, why not try growing a cluster of Strelitzias?
5. The Colossal Water Lily
You may have seen photos of a child sitting on an enormous lily pad and thought it was just a Photoshop trick. But in reality, this phenomenon occurs in the Amazon rain forest.
Giant lily pads do indeed exist, and it’s possible for small people to sit on them. With leaves spanning up to 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) across and a single plant capable of producing up to 50 leaves, Victoria amazonica can dominate large ponds and lakes all on its own.
The flowers, which are larger than typical water lilies, last only two days, though they don’t quite match the scale of the leaves. Now, all we need are some giant frogs to sit on them.
4. The Grass That Grows While You Wait
If you’re into gardening, it probably feels like the weeds and brambles are springing up right before your very eyes. While this may be a case of green-thumbed paranoia, there are some plants in the world that do indeed grow at astonishing rates.
The tortoise-shell bamboo (also known as Phyllostachys edulis) can grow as quickly as 1 meter (3.3 feet) per day in its native home of China. It is now also found in other parts of East Asia and Europe. Despite being often mistaken for a tree, this plant is actually a species of woody grass.
If you sit and observe the bamboo for an hour, you’ll witness it grow by about 4.1 centimeters (1.6 inches). If you were standing next to a bamboo stem one afternoon, by the next afternoon, it could be over 100 centimeters (3’3”) taller than you. That’s quite extraordinary.
3. The Plant That Is Also an Animal
Scientists studying Pandora discovered what they termed 'zooplantae,' organisms that seemed to possess both plant and animal traits. While this might sound fantastical, Earth is already home to species that fit this description, such as sea anemones.
You’re probably familiar with DNA, but RNA molecules also play a role in shaping living organisms. Recently, researchers uncovered microRNAs. In a surprising twist, they found both plant microRNAs and animal microRNAs (with gene interactions strikingly similar to those in humans) in sea anemones. Genetically, sea anemones are a blend of plant and animal.
This suggests that sentience could be far more intricate than we ever imagined. Perhaps the world of Avatar isn’t so outlandish after all.
2. The Invincible Tree
Most people are familiar with Gingko biloba, a tree famous for its medicinal properties. This ancient species likely coexisted with dinosaurs.
However, the most incredible story about Gingko biloba takes a surprising turn with the Hiroshima bomb. The Shukkeien Garden in Japan, located about 1,370 meters (4,500 ft) from the atomic explosion, had a ginkgo tree. Despite the devastation around it, the tree grew new branches and thrived once again.
The exact reason for its survival remains a mystery, but it highlights the ginkgo tree’s remarkable ability to recover from destruction. Since then, seeds from these resilient trees have been collected and spread worldwide. As these second-generation nuclear trees flourish, they stand as powerful symbols of hope for those impacted by the events of 1945.
1. The Tree That Fights Back
The Gympie-Gympie stinging tree might sound intimidating just by its name, but its appearance doesn’t seem as threatening. Found in Australia, this shrub is covered in fuzzy hairs that deliver an intense sting. These hairs release chemicals as soon as they break, which can happen even with a mere brush against the plant.
When the hairs embed in the skin, the chemicals trigger an intense, tingling, burning feeling, often likened to being doused in acid. The torment can persist for months, and it’s said to drive individuals to madness and self-destruction.
Even a brief encounter with this hazardous plant can result in severe allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. This is certainly one plant you’ll want to steer clear of.
