The mysterious green jelly: 3.5 billion years on Earth

The mysterious green jelly: 3.5 billion years on Earth

The star jelly, also known as Nostoc, is the most common genus of cyanobacteria found in a variety of both aquatic and terrestrial environments. They have existed on Earth for 3.5 billion years and can produce oxygen through photosynthesis.

 

[Nutritional value of star jelly]
Star Jelly has very high nutritional value. Besides being low in calories, it contains high levels of protein, fiber, and essential minerals. Among these, the calcium content is ten times higher than that of milk, the iron content is 32 times higher than that of grapes, and they also contain polysaccharides that help fight inflammation and oxidation.

 

[Story of the mysterious green jelly]

When it's not raining, the star jelly appears shriveled and is yellow-green or yellow-brown in color, making it hard to notice. Only when it rains and they receive moisture do they swell up and darken in color, making them easier to harvest. Star Jelly is also known as "lover's tears." This romantic and poignant name comes from the Amis tribe, from a story of a couple who eloped without their parents' blessing. They hid in a grassland and, eventually exhausted, embraced and wept before leaving this world. Where their tears fell, star jelly grew.

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