The Methuselah Date Palm, Ancient Seed Sprouts into Palm by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

The story of this palm is fascinating. Scientists have grown a tree from what may be the oldest seed ever germinated. It was sprouted from a 2,000-year-old date palm excavated in Masada in Israel. Dubbed the "Methuselah Tree" after the oldest person in the Bible, the new plant has been growing steadily. I see the similarity to many of our Florida palms even though this particular palm has been extinct until now. 6x6" framed oil on canvas.

The Methuselah Date Palm, Oil of Oldest Date Palm by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

"The Methuselah Date Palm" has an amazing story. An archeologist found date palm seeds on Masada in Israel. They were carbon dated to be over 2,000 years old. After a soaking in growth hormones, a seed sprouted, grew into a tree and flowered in 2011. Named The Methuselah after the longest lived character in the Bible, it's the only living Judean date palm, which has been extinct for 1800 years. It's the oldest known tree to successfully germinate. — at CityArts Factory in Downtown Orlando, 6x6 framed oil, $250.