New research shows evolution of life isn’t linear. Plants adapt uniquely, sometimes reversing changes to suit their environments.

Evolution is often depicted as a steady forward march from simple to complex forms. But new research shows that certain ferns can evolve ‘backward’

Imagine a photograph of your great-grandparents, grandparents and parents side by side. You'd see a resemblance, but each generation would look distinct from its predecessors. This is the process of evolution in its simplest form: descent with modification.