--- title: "Scientists Discover World’s Largest Organism, Chilling Out Under Ocean" description: "Australian scientists got a fascinating surprise whenthey discovered what appears to be the world's largest organism, living under the ocean." date: "2022-06-01" modified: "2022-06-01" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientists-discover-worlds-largest-organism" categories: - "Biology" - "Science & Energy" tags: - "biology" - "ocean" - "organisms" - "the digest" --- # Scientists Discover World’s Largest Organism, Chilling Out Under Ocean ![Australian scientists got a fascinating surprise whenthey discovered what appears to be the world's largest organism, living under the ocean.]() *\Image: Getty Images\* ## Large, in Charge Scientists at the University of Western Australia (UWA) got a fascinating surprise when, while attempting to study genetic differences between plants in a massive undersea meadow, their samples revealed that the "meadow" was in fact just one very old — and very large — organism. According [to *The Guardian*,]() this single *Posidonia australis* plant, more commonly known as ribbon weed, spans an astonishing 77 square miles of undersea land off the coast of western Australia's Shark Bay. For perspective, that's three times the size of Manhattan. Move over, [trees!]() There's a new — well, \~4,500 year old — giant in town. ## Leave Her Alone! Ribbon weed is resilient, which is one reason why it's been able to thrive in Shark Bay's challenging conditions. The area has also been relatively untouched by humans, which [tends to be a good thing when it comes to ocean health](). But it's the original seedling itself that's wowed the scientific community. A hybrid of two different seagrass species, this remarkable little colonizer somehow kept chromosomes from both mother and father. "Instead of getting half its genes from mum and half from dad, it’s kept all of them," said UWA researcher and coauthor of [a study about the discovery]()**,** Dr. Elizabeth Sinclair. Thus, the plant has inherent genetic diversity, [a critical factor for the health and longevity of plant populations]() that allows for adaptation to environmental change. This also means that our 20,000-rugby-field-sized friend has been able to keep growing by way of [rhizomes,]() as opposed to reproducing, since it first sprouted. Talk about self sufficient. And this plant isn't at all selfish in its endeavors — the meadow is a haven for all sorts of sea creatures, including "turtles, dolphins, dugongs, crabs and fish," according to the *Guardian*. So, let's continue to leave this independent queen to her own devices, shall we? **READ MORE:** [World's biggest plant discovered off Australia's coast]() *\[BBC\]* **On Ocean Resilience:** [Hooray! The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Has Become a Thriving Ecosystem, Scientists Say]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()