Scientists have changed the idea that there is no blue fruit in nature. They say that there is only one fruit in the world that naturally appears bright blue without any coloring or pigment. This rare fruit is called ‘Blue Quandong’. The scientific name is Elaeocarpus angustifolius.
The tree is found in the rainforests of Australia, Papua New Guinea and some parts of Indonesia.
The fruit looks so bright and metallic blue that many people think that the color of the photo has been edited. But researchers have confirmed that this color is completely natural. Surprisingly, there is no blue pigment in the fruit. The fruit appears blue due to ‘structural coloration’.
This is a type of optical effect, where the microscopic layers of the fruit’s skin reflect light in such a way that only blue wavelengths reach the eye. Peacock feathers or butterfly wings appear blue for the same reason.
According to research published in Nature and PNAS, the fruit's skin is made up of nano-sized cellulose layers. These layers, arranged at different angles, reflect blue light and cancel out all other colors. That's why the fruit looks true blue. When scientists try to extract the blue color from the fruit, it turns gray—proving that the color is not chemical.
Experts believe that this bright blue color evolved to attract birds. Even in the dense shade of the rainforest, the blue fruit is visible from a distance. As a result, birds can easily find the fruit and disperse the seeds.
Blue quandong is one of the few fruits in the world that produces color only by reflecting light without pigments. That's why researchers are calling it a rare wonder of nature.
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