Chinese led research team has made a remarkable world first discovery by identifying nanoscale monazite crystals inside the fern Blechnum orientale.

 A Chinese led research team has made a remarkable world first discovery by identifying nanoscale monazite crystals inside the fern Blechnum orientale. Monazite is a rare earth mineral that normally forms only under extreme heat and pressure deep within Earth’s crust, making its appearance inside a living plant completely unexpected.

These tiny crystals contain valuable rare earth elements like cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium, materials essential for lasers, advanced electronics, coatings, and radiation resistant technologies. Scientists believe this fern may have a unique biochemical ability to pull rare earth elements from soil and assemble them into mineral form, opening new possibilities for sustainable mineral extraction and green technology.