Interestingly deformed protea flower

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I have a protea growing in my garden. It has many young flowers on it at the moment (September 2018, early spring in Melbourne). One of the flowers is deformed, growing in an interesting almost fractal shape. Is this sort of deformity common? What causes it?



I have included a picture of a normal flower from the same plant below.



fractal star protea



normal cone protea










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    up vote
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    down vote

    favorite












    I have a protea growing in my garden. It has many young flowers on it at the moment (September 2018, early spring in Melbourne). One of the flowers is deformed, growing in an interesting almost fractal shape. Is this sort of deformity common? What causes it?



    I have included a picture of a normal flower from the same plant below.



    fractal star protea



    normal cone protea










    share|improve this question























      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite











      I have a protea growing in my garden. It has many young flowers on it at the moment (September 2018, early spring in Melbourne). One of the flowers is deformed, growing in an interesting almost fractal shape. Is this sort of deformity common? What causes it?



      I have included a picture of a normal flower from the same plant below.



      fractal star protea



      normal cone protea










      share|improve this question













      I have a protea growing in my garden. It has many young flowers on it at the moment (September 2018, early spring in Melbourne). One of the flowers is deformed, growing in an interesting almost fractal shape. Is this sort of deformity common? What causes it?



      I have included a picture of a normal flower from the same plant below.



      fractal star protea



      normal cone protea







      flowers






      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question











      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question










      asked 7 hours ago









      CJ Dennis

      228129




      228129




















          2 Answers
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          up vote
          2
          down vote













          This appears to be an example of "cresting" or fasciation. It can happen on a number of species, perhaps the best known is the Celosia group (Crested cockscomb). One way to look at this is as the flower is being generated at the cellular level in normal circumstances each component of the flower will have its place in the spiral arrangement. Each has an individual numbered place and so does not challenge a neighbour for room to grow normally. However for various reasons (cold weather, insect attack, bacterial infection) individual parts can be "assigned the same number" and try to grow together in the same physical location pushing each other aside. This can be accompanied by hormonal imbalances and results in something of an interesting tangle.






          share|improve this answer




















          • I've seen fasciation (but never knew the word before) on wisteria and dandelion. It normally makes a round stem (or other plant part) ribbon-like. This seems a bit different in that the flower is still round overall.
            – CJ Dennis
            5 hours ago










          • RHS mentions "Flattened elongated or misshapen flower heads"
            – Colin Beckingham
            4 hours ago










          • I agree that all fasciation is misshapen, but not that all misshapenness is fasciation. Maybe you're right, but I'll wait to see if any alternative theories pop up.
            – CJ Dennis
            4 hours ago






          • 1




            Fasciation derives from fasces or bundle. My thinking is that the bundling sometimes results in elongation, but is not a requirement. Yes, you are right to wait for other ideas.
            – Colin Beckingham
            3 hours ago

















          up vote
          1
          down vote













          This is a bit of a knotty subject - there are two named 'disorders' that cause oddly mutated flowers or stems; one is fasciation, and the other is proliferation. The latter usually only affects the flowers, but sometimes there is evidence of fasciation in the stem as well, whereas fasciation usually affects stems, but also can affect flowers. On examining that mutated flower in your top picture, it does appear almost as if one, two or three flowers have appeared in the same flowerhead causing this odd looking flower, with no apparent fasciation of the stem, in which case, it's more likely proliferation - but the dividing line is a grey area!



          The cause is essentially the same in both conditions; it's a mutation caused by a disturbance or break in the genetic code. As to what causes that, it might be weather conditions at the time the growing tip or flower was just beginning to form, viral, bacterial, physical damage, or simply an internal genetic DNA blip. It generally occurs on just the one flower (but not always) and subsequent flowers are perfectly normal, but the phenomenon may be more common on some plants than others - some roses varieties can be more prone to proliferation. Info on Fasciation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=525 and more on Proliferation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=634






          share|improve this answer






















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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            2
            down vote













            This appears to be an example of "cresting" or fasciation. It can happen on a number of species, perhaps the best known is the Celosia group (Crested cockscomb). One way to look at this is as the flower is being generated at the cellular level in normal circumstances each component of the flower will have its place in the spiral arrangement. Each has an individual numbered place and so does not challenge a neighbour for room to grow normally. However for various reasons (cold weather, insect attack, bacterial infection) individual parts can be "assigned the same number" and try to grow together in the same physical location pushing each other aside. This can be accompanied by hormonal imbalances and results in something of an interesting tangle.






            share|improve this answer




















            • I've seen fasciation (but never knew the word before) on wisteria and dandelion. It normally makes a round stem (or other plant part) ribbon-like. This seems a bit different in that the flower is still round overall.
              – CJ Dennis
              5 hours ago










            • RHS mentions "Flattened elongated or misshapen flower heads"
              – Colin Beckingham
              4 hours ago










            • I agree that all fasciation is misshapen, but not that all misshapenness is fasciation. Maybe you're right, but I'll wait to see if any alternative theories pop up.
              – CJ Dennis
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              Fasciation derives from fasces or bundle. My thinking is that the bundling sometimes results in elongation, but is not a requirement. Yes, you are right to wait for other ideas.
              – Colin Beckingham
              3 hours ago














            up vote
            2
            down vote













            This appears to be an example of "cresting" or fasciation. It can happen on a number of species, perhaps the best known is the Celosia group (Crested cockscomb). One way to look at this is as the flower is being generated at the cellular level in normal circumstances each component of the flower will have its place in the spiral arrangement. Each has an individual numbered place and so does not challenge a neighbour for room to grow normally. However for various reasons (cold weather, insect attack, bacterial infection) individual parts can be "assigned the same number" and try to grow together in the same physical location pushing each other aside. This can be accompanied by hormonal imbalances and results in something of an interesting tangle.






            share|improve this answer




















            • I've seen fasciation (but never knew the word before) on wisteria and dandelion. It normally makes a round stem (or other plant part) ribbon-like. This seems a bit different in that the flower is still round overall.
              – CJ Dennis
              5 hours ago










            • RHS mentions "Flattened elongated or misshapen flower heads"
              – Colin Beckingham
              4 hours ago










            • I agree that all fasciation is misshapen, but not that all misshapenness is fasciation. Maybe you're right, but I'll wait to see if any alternative theories pop up.
              – CJ Dennis
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              Fasciation derives from fasces or bundle. My thinking is that the bundling sometimes results in elongation, but is not a requirement. Yes, you are right to wait for other ideas.
              – Colin Beckingham
              3 hours ago












            up vote
            2
            down vote










            up vote
            2
            down vote









            This appears to be an example of "cresting" or fasciation. It can happen on a number of species, perhaps the best known is the Celosia group (Crested cockscomb). One way to look at this is as the flower is being generated at the cellular level in normal circumstances each component of the flower will have its place in the spiral arrangement. Each has an individual numbered place and so does not challenge a neighbour for room to grow normally. However for various reasons (cold weather, insect attack, bacterial infection) individual parts can be "assigned the same number" and try to grow together in the same physical location pushing each other aside. This can be accompanied by hormonal imbalances and results in something of an interesting tangle.






            share|improve this answer












            This appears to be an example of "cresting" or fasciation. It can happen on a number of species, perhaps the best known is the Celosia group (Crested cockscomb). One way to look at this is as the flower is being generated at the cellular level in normal circumstances each component of the flower will have its place in the spiral arrangement. Each has an individual numbered place and so does not challenge a neighbour for room to grow normally. However for various reasons (cold weather, insect attack, bacterial infection) individual parts can be "assigned the same number" and try to grow together in the same physical location pushing each other aside. This can be accompanied by hormonal imbalances and results in something of an interesting tangle.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 5 hours ago









            Colin Beckingham

            5,414326




            5,414326











            • I've seen fasciation (but never knew the word before) on wisteria and dandelion. It normally makes a round stem (or other plant part) ribbon-like. This seems a bit different in that the flower is still round overall.
              – CJ Dennis
              5 hours ago










            • RHS mentions "Flattened elongated or misshapen flower heads"
              – Colin Beckingham
              4 hours ago










            • I agree that all fasciation is misshapen, but not that all misshapenness is fasciation. Maybe you're right, but I'll wait to see if any alternative theories pop up.
              – CJ Dennis
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              Fasciation derives from fasces or bundle. My thinking is that the bundling sometimes results in elongation, but is not a requirement. Yes, you are right to wait for other ideas.
              – Colin Beckingham
              3 hours ago
















            • I've seen fasciation (but never knew the word before) on wisteria and dandelion. It normally makes a round stem (or other plant part) ribbon-like. This seems a bit different in that the flower is still round overall.
              – CJ Dennis
              5 hours ago










            • RHS mentions "Flattened elongated or misshapen flower heads"
              – Colin Beckingham
              4 hours ago










            • I agree that all fasciation is misshapen, but not that all misshapenness is fasciation. Maybe you're right, but I'll wait to see if any alternative theories pop up.
              – CJ Dennis
              4 hours ago






            • 1




              Fasciation derives from fasces or bundle. My thinking is that the bundling sometimes results in elongation, but is not a requirement. Yes, you are right to wait for other ideas.
              – Colin Beckingham
              3 hours ago















            I've seen fasciation (but never knew the word before) on wisteria and dandelion. It normally makes a round stem (or other plant part) ribbon-like. This seems a bit different in that the flower is still round overall.
            – CJ Dennis
            5 hours ago




            I've seen fasciation (but never knew the word before) on wisteria and dandelion. It normally makes a round stem (or other plant part) ribbon-like. This seems a bit different in that the flower is still round overall.
            – CJ Dennis
            5 hours ago












            RHS mentions "Flattened elongated or misshapen flower heads"
            – Colin Beckingham
            4 hours ago




            RHS mentions "Flattened elongated or misshapen flower heads"
            – Colin Beckingham
            4 hours ago












            I agree that all fasciation is misshapen, but not that all misshapenness is fasciation. Maybe you're right, but I'll wait to see if any alternative theories pop up.
            – CJ Dennis
            4 hours ago




            I agree that all fasciation is misshapen, but not that all misshapenness is fasciation. Maybe you're right, but I'll wait to see if any alternative theories pop up.
            – CJ Dennis
            4 hours ago




            1




            1




            Fasciation derives from fasces or bundle. My thinking is that the bundling sometimes results in elongation, but is not a requirement. Yes, you are right to wait for other ideas.
            – Colin Beckingham
            3 hours ago




            Fasciation derives from fasces or bundle. My thinking is that the bundling sometimes results in elongation, but is not a requirement. Yes, you are right to wait for other ideas.
            – Colin Beckingham
            3 hours ago










            up vote
            1
            down vote













            This is a bit of a knotty subject - there are two named 'disorders' that cause oddly mutated flowers or stems; one is fasciation, and the other is proliferation. The latter usually only affects the flowers, but sometimes there is evidence of fasciation in the stem as well, whereas fasciation usually affects stems, but also can affect flowers. On examining that mutated flower in your top picture, it does appear almost as if one, two or three flowers have appeared in the same flowerhead causing this odd looking flower, with no apparent fasciation of the stem, in which case, it's more likely proliferation - but the dividing line is a grey area!



            The cause is essentially the same in both conditions; it's a mutation caused by a disturbance or break in the genetic code. As to what causes that, it might be weather conditions at the time the growing tip or flower was just beginning to form, viral, bacterial, physical damage, or simply an internal genetic DNA blip. It generally occurs on just the one flower (but not always) and subsequent flowers are perfectly normal, but the phenomenon may be more common on some plants than others - some roses varieties can be more prone to proliferation. Info on Fasciation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=525 and more on Proliferation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=634






            share|improve this answer


























              up vote
              1
              down vote













              This is a bit of a knotty subject - there are two named 'disorders' that cause oddly mutated flowers or stems; one is fasciation, and the other is proliferation. The latter usually only affects the flowers, but sometimes there is evidence of fasciation in the stem as well, whereas fasciation usually affects stems, but also can affect flowers. On examining that mutated flower in your top picture, it does appear almost as if one, two or three flowers have appeared in the same flowerhead causing this odd looking flower, with no apparent fasciation of the stem, in which case, it's more likely proliferation - but the dividing line is a grey area!



              The cause is essentially the same in both conditions; it's a mutation caused by a disturbance or break in the genetic code. As to what causes that, it might be weather conditions at the time the growing tip or flower was just beginning to form, viral, bacterial, physical damage, or simply an internal genetic DNA blip. It generally occurs on just the one flower (but not always) and subsequent flowers are perfectly normal, but the phenomenon may be more common on some plants than others - some roses varieties can be more prone to proliferation. Info on Fasciation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=525 and more on Proliferation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=634






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                1
                down vote










                up vote
                1
                down vote









                This is a bit of a knotty subject - there are two named 'disorders' that cause oddly mutated flowers or stems; one is fasciation, and the other is proliferation. The latter usually only affects the flowers, but sometimes there is evidence of fasciation in the stem as well, whereas fasciation usually affects stems, but also can affect flowers. On examining that mutated flower in your top picture, it does appear almost as if one, two or three flowers have appeared in the same flowerhead causing this odd looking flower, with no apparent fasciation of the stem, in which case, it's more likely proliferation - but the dividing line is a grey area!



                The cause is essentially the same in both conditions; it's a mutation caused by a disturbance or break in the genetic code. As to what causes that, it might be weather conditions at the time the growing tip or flower was just beginning to form, viral, bacterial, physical damage, or simply an internal genetic DNA blip. It generally occurs on just the one flower (but not always) and subsequent flowers are perfectly normal, but the phenomenon may be more common on some plants than others - some roses varieties can be more prone to proliferation. Info on Fasciation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=525 and more on Proliferation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=634






                share|improve this answer














                This is a bit of a knotty subject - there are two named 'disorders' that cause oddly mutated flowers or stems; one is fasciation, and the other is proliferation. The latter usually only affects the flowers, but sometimes there is evidence of fasciation in the stem as well, whereas fasciation usually affects stems, but also can affect flowers. On examining that mutated flower in your top picture, it does appear almost as if one, two or three flowers have appeared in the same flowerhead causing this odd looking flower, with no apparent fasciation of the stem, in which case, it's more likely proliferation - but the dividing line is a grey area!



                The cause is essentially the same in both conditions; it's a mutation caused by a disturbance or break in the genetic code. As to what causes that, it might be weather conditions at the time the growing tip or flower was just beginning to form, viral, bacterial, physical damage, or simply an internal genetic DNA blip. It generally occurs on just the one flower (but not always) and subsequent flowers are perfectly normal, but the phenomenon may be more common on some plants than others - some roses varieties can be more prone to proliferation. Info on Fasciation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=525 and more on Proliferation https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=634







                share|improve this answer














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