"Unveiling the Secrets of a 144-Year-Old Seed Experiment"

Scientists have resurrected hybrid seeds from a secretive 144-year-old experiment conducted by botanist William J. Beal. The experiment involved burying 20 glass bottles filled with 50 seeds in sand to study seed viability. While most species lost viability within 60 years, a high percentage of plants from the Verbascum genus were still able to grow. DNA sequencing confirmed the presence of a hybrid plant, suggesting a mix-up during the experiment's preparation. The study's findings have implications for rare species conservation and ecosystem restoration.