Fasciation is a unique mutation that produces unusual flowers, but does it harm the plant? Find out the cause and what you should do. The phenomenon may occur in the stem, root, fruit, or flower head.

Understanding the Context

Some plants are grown and prized aesthetically for their development of fasciation. [3] Any occurrence of fasciation has several possible causes, including hormonal, genetic, bacterial, fungal, viral and environmental causes. Fasciation is a malformation of plant parts commonly manifested as enlargement, flattening or cojoining. The abnormal growth of plants can be uniquely puzzling and beautiful at the same time.

Key Insights

It can occur in almost any part of a plant but is most noticeable in the stems or flowers. Fasciation in Plants: What You Need to Know - Birds and Blooms These are examples of fasciation, a term which comes from the Latin word "fascis," meaning band or bundle. Fasciation is the result of a disruption to the normal development of a growing point, or apical meristem, on a plant. Flattened, elongated shoots and flower heads that look like many stems compressed together are called fasciation. This strange-looking problem may be ugly or attractive, but is always interesting.

Final Thoughts

A malformation of plant stems commonly appearing as enlargement and flattening as if several stems were fused is called fasciation. Unusual growth, such as a spur on cherry fruit, can also be considered fasciation. Fasciation / Home and Landscape / UC Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM)