fasciation what causes it?

[The Woodman]

That would be interesting, CB, I would interested to hear an academic opinion.

animartco - perhaps the answer might be forthcoming. I can only suggest that the linking meristems are caused by hormonal imbalance - that's my best guess.

Hedera has reminded me that I've seen flattened dandelion stems and elongated flowers too.

[animartco]

Thank you all. A full explanation would be good wouldn't it? My guess is that it is the plant's response to a weakening of, or damage to its's stem that otherwise would cause it to collapse and wilt. That bryony must have been growing safely through the elder for years, and then suddenly the support was gone!
Last year I bought a robinia which was a bit cheaper because it didn't have much top growth and what it did have I had to cut back because I found disease in the centre of the wood. When the branches did come out they were weak but managed to survive by flattening, just a little. This year so far (touch wood) it's doing quite well.

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by animartco

Hi Dorts and Gaguarundi. If it is severe weather then we should expect a lot of it this year? I suppose you'd need public participation to prove a weather link, with reports of sightings from year to year. Though there is a plant which is deliberately grown with fasciation, and sold as a pot plant. Can't remember the name of it. The leaves are like a calceolaria, and it has a similar lush habit, and in the normal form a mophead of little flowers. It would be interesting to know what they do to get the fasciation.

Animartco
Are you thinking of Celosia?

[Dorts]

Celosia. Glad you thought of that, is'nt that the one they call 'Cock's Comb?

[animartco]

Oh thanks ceterach and Dort. I think that is it. About 8inch high with red yellow or orange narrow corrugated flower head? Would be interesting to know how they do it, whether it is a clone, or a sport that for some reason replicates fasciated. Does it seed fasciated or with a strong likelihood, I wonder? It's actually a long time since I have seen any.