Some trees are more closely related to broccoli than to other trees #shorts

Don’t be fooled by convergent evolution.

Produced by Complexly for PBS Digital Studios

References:

[eons]

We are excited to bring some of our short form videos to YouTube Shorts but if you are looking for longer-form content from the Eons team, we've just launched our podcast "Eons: Mysteries of Deep Time" where Blake, Michelle and Kallie will focus in on the greatest mysteries of natural history. Check it out in your preferred podcast app!

[TurMoiL]

It also turns out that given enough time, "trees" will eventually evolve to look like crabs.

[songzandwatnot]

I’m not high enough for the “trees aren’t real” conversation.

[laurachapple]

Don't even get him started on 'berries'.

[tay-lore]

The final form of the world is nothing but trees and crabs

[dariuscasaus]

To quote Hank Green "trees aren't a species, they're a strategy"

[KamilaTekin]

“Trees aren’t a real thing, don’t believe it”. When he started with that, I thought this would be another conspiracy theory video lol 😂

[Aguyfrom]

My kids in 5 years.
"Dad, what's that?"
"Hell if I know"

[m.e.]

Broccoli being related to trees is just perfect

[bmurr]

As an arborist I can’t wait to share this information with people who absolutely do not care

[edwardhoffenheim]

Me: "hits palm tree on way to work"

How I tell it: "I collided with a massive blade of grass on my way to my daily quest"

[cauchyschwarz]

"Trees aren't a real thing"

Easy fix: we define "tree" to be everything that converged to this evolutionary strategy.

[haydenrusk]

Plants: These dang animals and bugs keep eating us!
Plant getting a good idea: yo, what if I was just really tall!

[thestonemason]

A tree is more a classification of appearance than genetics

[sethmath]

I always knew deep down that broccoli is a tree

[delimeatart]

“Trees aren’t a real thing don’t believe the hype” Now THAT Is how you start a conversation.

[broadwaywes]

Thinking “Palm trees are like big grass” breaks my brain. 🌴

[EebstertheGreat]

"Tree" is like "plankton" or "parasite" or "worm." It's definitely a thing, just not a taxon.

[prokhor_zakharov]

55 IQ: broccoli is a tree
100 IQ: nooo, broccoli is a vegetable!
145 IQ: broccoli is a tree

[sammyabalos]

Tree-huggers don't love trees because of their relation to other trees... tree-huggers love trees because of their convergent evolutionary strategy.