Scientists discover Gold Growing On Trees in Australia?

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Their research, published in the journal Nature Communications, suggested plants were absorbing gold particles found around the soils of eucalyptus trees, Dr Lintern explained.

“The eucalypt acts as a hydraulic pump – its roots extend tens of metres in to the

ground and draft water containing the gold.

"Since the gold is likely to be toxic to the plant, it's moved to the leaves and branches where it could be released or shed to the ground.

“The leaves could be properly used in conjunction with other tools as a more cost effective and eco-friendly exploration technique.” Continue Reading..

Dr Lintern added that applying this manner of sampling and analysing vegetation for traces of minerals, it may be easier to observe what occurs below the surface without the necessity to drill.
He explained: "It is a more targeted means of searching for minerals that reduces costs and impact on the environment."

Now before you grab your passport and ax, the paper found a typical gold concentration of 80 parts per billion in tree's leaves, and only 4 parts per billion in bark (though bark does cover a bigger surface area).
Unfortunately, what this means is the gold isn't visible to the unclad eye. So next time someone informs you money doesn't grow on trees, well,  you know what to say.