Progress photograph of sample experiments being conducted with lunar material

S69-53666 (30 Sept. 1969) --- A close-up view of numerous fern plants growing in a sprinkling of lunar soil brought back from the lunar surface by the crew of the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. The photograph of the fern plants was taken 50 days after the plants were exposed to the lunar matter. The plants - Onoclea sensidilis, or more commonly known as Sensitive Fern - were photographed on a dish containing the minimal nutrients for germination. The cabbage-like, darker circle of plants, about 3/8-inch tall at the highest point, is germinating in contact with the lunar material, but the lighter colored, blurred plant material surrounding the cabbage-like clump is not in contact with any of the lunar soil. The strong thrive of these plants has been termed surprising and outstanding by MSC plant specialists.