#Cristate growth, also known as #Fasciation, is an abnormal growth pattern in plants where the growing tip elongates and spreads horizontally, resulting in a crested or fan-like appearance instead of the typical rounded form.

This often flattened, contorted growth can be caused by genetic mutations, environmental factors, or even damage to the plant's apical meristem.

https://knowledgezone.co.in/kbits/6895800a8599a4f7647d3404

I found a fasciated dandelion!
Fasciation or cristation happens when the (normally circular) growing meristem gets difformed by parasites/virus/soil salinity/random damage, and then the plant grows all funky.
It'a a fun game to play during dandelion season.

#fasciation #dandelions #botany

Five.
Five #flower heads on one #dandelion stem.
This must be some kind of record.
Stop me if you’ve had enough #fasciation photos.

#nature #naturephotography #wildlife #flower #wildflower #mutation #spring #victoriapark #belfast #NorthernIreland

Here's one of my favorite residents in the #indoorgarden -- A curled blue vates kale plant that is so fasciated that I'm no longer allowed into heaven:

#indoorgardening #kale #plants #fasciation #botany
Fasciation in a female zucchini. The third picture is a normal female flower. The first 2 show abnormal cell proliferation. I have no idea if the bees got in there to pollinate it, or if it can even be pollinated. The 4th picture shows the zucchini itself is about 4 inches long, much longer than a normal and pollinated female fruit. #fasciation #vegetablegardening #gardening #growyourown #veggies #zucchini #abnormalities #deformity
Fasciation - Wikipedia

A couple of #fasciated #dandelions along the #EastLinkRoad in #Dundonald this morning.
The first appeared to be separate #flowers but the stems were completely #fused.
I tend to see #fasciation close to #roads so would the #mutation be caused by #vehicle #exhaust gases? 🤔

#dandelion #nature #wildlife #flower #wildflowers #spring #CountyDown #NorthernIreland

Cool #fasciation on our #Casuarina. Dozens of these tiny brown #beetles (maybe nitidulids?) ran out of it, could be the cause #PlantInsect