Double Take Headline of the Day: Is Shrub Darwin's 'Missing Link?'

[Dudley_DUright]

Is Shrub Darwin's 'Missing Link?'
Ancient Flowering Plant Provides Clue To An 'Abominable Mystery'

To millions of moms, the Mother's Day bouquet still gracing the dining room table symbolizes gratitude and love. To Charles Darwin, however, they also would stand as colorful characters in what he called an "abominable mystery" — the origin of flowering plants.

"It's no different now," sighs biologist William Friedman. The mystery remains abominable.

But Dr. Friedman may have helped put plant biologists on a promising scent. He says he's discovered a unique trait in an ancient line of plants that could represent a "missing link" between flowering plants and more-ancient seed plants, such as pines, ginkos, and cycads, some of which can be mistaken for palms.

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http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/18/tech/main1630453.shtml

Hat Tip to Al Rodgers at Daily Kos:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/5/21/05415/8702