There's gold in them thar trees. Eucalyptus trees, that is. Australian researchers have found that microscopic gold particles from underground ore deposits are present in tree leaves.

X-ray analysis revealed gold particles up to about 8 microns wide in cells from the trees, or about 10 times thinner than the average human hair. Field samples and greenhouse experiments suggest ...

Scientists from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have discovered that eucalyptus trees in the Australian outback are drawing up gold particles from ...

A diagram of the eucalyptus trees’ placement at the Western Australia site (numbers in tree reflect gold concentrations in parts per billion). Image via Nature Communications / Lintern et. al.

Eucalyptus was introduced to the subcontinent from Australia in 1843, but substantial plantings did not occur until after 1950. A further impetus was observed in the 1970s and 1985 with the launch ...

Eucalyptus trees, planted on dry and rocky mountains, flourished and transformed barren landscapes into green forests. The first harvest, after ten to fifteen years, yielded impressive financial ...

A Eucalyptus tree rises in the Australian Outback, where researchers took samples of branches and leaves from trees to look for tiny particles of gold that could hint at subterranean gold deposits.

To test where the gold is coming from, the researchers settled on the Freddo Gold prospect, 40 km north of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The Au mineral deposit is under ~30m of clay.

Eucalyptus trees extend their roots as much as ten stories deep down into the soil to find water. And it seems their roots also come across gold rich zones. (via Nature) ...

Geoscientists in Perth have discovered gold particles in the leaves, twigs and bark of eucalyptus trees, claiming a "eureka" moment which could revolutionise gold mining. CSIRO researchers believe ...