Arsenic killer

A common fern, known as the brake fern (Pteris vittata), endemic to California, usa, has been found to soak up extraordinary amounts of arsenic without any ill effects to itself. This may offer a natural way of cleaning up polluted soil and water, according to a us-based study. The fern is the first plant known to accumulate arsenic in extremely high concentrations and still flourish. "It looks lush green despite containing 8,000 parts per million of arsenic," said Lena Ma, soil chemist at the University of Florida at Gainesville, usa .