You may also be looking at a structural phenomenon called fasciation.
It happens when a growing point mutates from a round cluster of cells
into a line of cells or when an injury causes the same thing. It can
affect stems, inflorescences, individual flowers. It happens rather
often in strawberry fruit and gives the wide, flat berries with
multiple points. It's harmless, usually.

for fun:
fasciated bluebonnet:
http://botany.cs.tamu.edu/FLORA/hdwi.../jlbigblue.jpg

fasciated black-eyed-susan:
http://botany.cs.tamu.edu/FLORA/dcs420/fa07/fa07008.jpg

Monique Reed