Heavy Metal-Eating Plant Discovered in the Philippines

Last week scientists discovered ununseptium, the heaviest metal known to man. What’ll those whacky white coats turn up next?

A plant that eats heavy metals, it turns out. Rinorea niccolifera — discovered in the Philippines by scientists at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños — has the ability to absorb nickel from the metal-rich soils of the western part of Luzon Island. Of course there are those already looking to utilize the plants to extract metals out of the soil for financial gain, a process known as phytomining.

Gojira vocalist/guitarist Joe Duplantier reportedly ingests the stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner. He could not be reached for comment.

[via Science Recorder. Additional Reporting: Kip Wingerschmidt]