Scott Kelly of the U.S. space agency NASA tweeted that a zinnia has flowered in the microgravity environment of the orbiting laboratory. The astronaut also tweeted the photo of an orange flower with 13 petals. A NASA article explained that zinnias were chosen not for their beauty but to "help scientists understand how plants flower and grow in microgravity." Previously, other plants such as wheat and romaine lettuce have been grown in space. More crops will be sent to the space station this year, including Chinese cabbage and romaine lettuce. NASA says the lessons learned from these plants will help grow tomatoes in 2018.(Photo provided to China News Service)
