Scientists grow lost ‘biblical tree’ from 1,000-year-old seed – Times of India

Archaeologists discovered a 1,000-year-old seed in a cave in the Judean desert in the 1980s. The seed grew into a 10-foot tall tree named “Sheba” believed to be part of an extinct lineage of trees mentioned in the Bible. The researchers planted the seed in 2010, and were surprised when a tiny shoot emerged just five weeks later. The tree has thrived but has not flowered or borne fruit. Dr. Sarah Sallon oversaw the planting, hoping to find the origin of “Judean Balsam” mentioned in ancient texts. The research was delayed to confirm it wasn’t Judean Balsam.