Australian scientists have found tiny traces of gold in eucalyptus leaves, a remarkable marker of the metal’s location underground.

“This link between vegetation growth and buried gold deposits could be crucial in developing new technologies for mineral exploration,” a press brief said.

Eucalyptus trees can grow up to 10 metres tall. They sink their roots up to 40 metres underground in dry areas to reach water. Their roots can reach up to 40 metres below the surface of the earth to reach gold-rich areas. So when they absorb water, some of the gold is absorbed as well.