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Subject: Re: natural variegation - terms
Author: at mailgate
Date: 21/1/99 9:31
Dear Alistair and Dewey;
In the recent book "Variegated plants in Color" by Hirose and
Yokoi, Mr. Hirose refers to natural patterns you mention as 'Pattern
Variegation'. They occur in a wide range of plants from Begonias to Aroids,
Caltheas, Coleus and more.
This is opposed to 'True Variegation' the result of one or more
mutations and very rarely viruses. True variegation can also be found in
some plants with pattern variegation and in some cases it is difficult to
tell which came first as some plants showing variegation have been in
cultivation for so long that the natural (original) patterns are little
known.
I don't think there is any relationship between pattern variegation
and true variegation. That is, pattern variegation plants are not more
likely to produce true variegation than plants which normally show no
variegation. There are also abundant examples of true variegation plants
with no pattern variegation species in the same genus and vice versa.
Once can only assume that pattern variegation exists because of its
adaptive value.
Best Jim W.
James W. Waddick Voice: 816 746 1949
8871 NW Brostrom Rd E-MAIL: jim-jim@swbell.net
Kansas City MO 64152 Fax: 816 746 1939
Zone 5/6 - Winter low -10 degrees F Summer high +100 degrees F
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