MUTATIONS

Mutations Menu

Fasciation is one particular kind of mutation, further examples can be seen: of Dandelion, of Ribwort Plantain, of Cat's-ear, of Spear Thistle and of Sugar Beet.

Readers are invited to submit other photographs of mutations in plants.

The following are other specific examples of mutations.

PROLIFERATION - in POT MARIGOLD (Calendula arvensis)

29th March 2012, a garden.

Photo: © Dave Symes

Some wild flowers, such as Wild Basil, have tiered flower heads, but they usually belong to the Dead-nettle Family (Lamiaceae) and not to the Dandelion & Daisy Family (Asteraceae) as does Pot Marigold (Calendula arvensis), so tiered flowers are not an un-natural phenomenon. But in the case of Pot Marigold, tiered flowers are certainly not the norm, but they are by no means un-known. Here the first flower has matured and set seed only to produce a satellite flower from the head, which then sets seed only to produce yet a third satellite. Mutations like these can give clues to the growth process, especially when it goes awry, as here. This is technically called proliferation.

29th March 2012, a garden.

Photo: © Dave Symes

The mutation is possibly caused by a viral infection that has probably altered the expression of some aspect of the homeobox genes, which form the basis of the master-plan of growth: where shoots start, where leaves are, the shape and form of the flower-head, things like these. It is an example of Homeosis, where one plant part is mutated into a differing plant part.

MUTATIONS