A foxglove growing close to the stem of an old Wisteria has developed
a pecuiliar characteristic that I have not seen before. The leaves
and flower spike are normal with the exception that the flower spike
doesn't just get thinner and end in a point, it's got a rosette
sort of structure on top! Is this common? What is it for?

On Tue, 24 May 2005 10:19:22 +0100, Chris Bacon
wrote:

A foxglove growing close to the stem of an old Wisteria has developed
a pecuiliar characteristic that I have not seen before. The leaves
and flower spike are normal with the exception that the flower spike
doesn't just get thinner and end in a point, it's got a rosette
sort of structure on top! Is this common? What is it for?

I once had a similar thing happen some years ago. A normal foxglove
stem with normal flowers all the way up, but the top one was a round
flower (as you say, rosette) at the top. I learned that it is called
"fasciation" (as in the RHS link).
Looking at it a friend said "It's fascinated"! LOL

Pam in Bristol

In message , Pam Moore
writes
On Tue, 24 May 2005 10:19:22 +0100, Chris Bacon
wrote:

A foxglove growing close to the stem of an old Wisteria has developed
a pecuiliar characteristic that I have not seen before. The leaves
and flower spike are normal with the exception that the flower spike
doesn't just get thinner and end in a point, it's got a rosette
sort of structure on top! Is this common? What is it for?

I once had a similar thing happen some years ago. A normal foxglove
stem with normal flowers all the way up, but the top one was a round
flower (as you say, rosette) at the top. I learned that it is called
"fasciation" (as in the RHS link).
Looking at it a friend said "It's fascinated"! LOL

Pam in Bristol

A round flower on a foxglove is called a peloric flower. This is not
the same as fasciation.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

In article , Stewart Robert Hinsley
writes

A round flower on a foxglove is called a peloric flower. This is not
the same as fasciation.

What causes it?
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

In message , Kay
writes
In article , Stewart Robert Hinsley
writes

A round flower on a foxglove is called a peloric flower. This is not
the same as fasciation.

What causes it?

It's a mutation - hence the ability to purchase seed of peloric strains
of foxgloves.

I don't know the details, but I believe it's a mutation in a floral
development gene. Googling finds a statement that the peloric phenotype
in Antirrhinum is caused by loss of function mutations in the CYCLOIDEA
and DICHOTOMA genes. Given that peloric flowers in foxgloves are often
terminal, rather than universal, I guess that the situtation in
foxgloves is morre complicated.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote in message
...
In message , Kay
writes
In article , Stewart Robert Hinsley
writes

A round flower on a foxglove is called a peloric flower. This is not
the same as fasciation.

What causes it?

It's a mutation - hence the ability to purchase seed of peloric strains
of foxgloves.

I don't know the details, but I believe it's a mutation in a floral
development gene. Googling finds a statement that the peloric phenotype
in Antirrhinum is caused by loss of function mutations in the CYCLOIDEA
and DICHOTOMA genes. Given that peloric flowers in foxgloves are often
terminal, rather than universal, I guess that the situtation in
foxgloves is morre complicated.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley
~~~~~~~~~~~#
Damage to the meristem from any one of numerous agents can be the primary
cause. In some instances this has been shown to be able to be inherited.
Stripes in tulips are viral in origin but thence inherited.
Best Wishes Brian