Lady Gaga Gets Her Own Plant Species

You might say these ferns were just born this way.

Scientists at Duke University announced Tuesday, October 23 that they have named a new species of the plant after Lady Gaga.

“We wanted to name this genus for Lady Gaga because of her fervent defense of equality and individual expression,” Kathleen Pryer, a professor of biology at Duke University said in a statement. “And as we started to consider it, the ferns themselves gave us more reasons why it was a good choice.”

The researchers discovered that the fern, which is found in Arizona, Texas, Mexico and Central and South America, not only had a DNA sequence of GAGA, but also had “somewhat fluid definitions of gender.” This means that when the plant reproduces it can be male, female or bisexual.

Since Gaga has always been a voice for those on the outside the scientists felt it was only fitting that they named this new fern after the pop star.

“We think that her second album, Born this Way, is enormously empowering,” Pryer said. “Especially for disenfranchised people and communities like LGBT, ethnic groups, women — and scientists who study odd ferns!”

While Beyoncé has a housefly in her name, Gaga boasts 19 species within this genus of ferns that share her name.

One is called Gaga germanotta as a nod to her birth name, Stefani Germanotta, while another was named Gaga monstraparva, which translates to little monster.

- Shannon Carlin, CBS Local....