Trees aren't known for their extraterrestrial travel.
A notable exception: the "moon tree" on the University of Arizona campus.
It grew from seeds that traveled to the moon on the Apollo 14 flight in 1971 as part of an experiment.
The American sycamore tree - growing in mature green beauty just east of the Flandrau science center - germinated successfully after its lunar journey.
Studies found that seeds of the sycamore, and seeds of other tree species on the Apollo flight, germinated as successfully as control seeds that never left Earth.
The UA's moon tree, one of many growing around the nation, was planted on campus as a seedling in 1976 and was designated the Bicentennial Moon Tree.
"The tree not only represents significant beauty, but it's also a part of our research and education mission," said Tanya Quist, director of the UA Campus Arboretum. The arboretum encompasses the entire main campus of the university, including the moon tree site.
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The American sycamore - with a scientific name of Platanus occidentalis - is native to the eastern half of the United States. An alternate common name for the species is the plane tree.
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