Re: vigor of white cristata
- Subject: Re: vigor of white cristata
- From: "* K* H* <H*@zool.umd.edu>
- Date: Sun, 18 Feb 96 20:09:43 MST
> From: Steve Marak <SAMARAK@UAFSYSB.UARK.EDU>
> Subject: Belated introduction
> The most common native species here is, of course, Iris cristata, nearly
> everywhere in moist areas. (A quick question: I've heard that the white form
> of I. cristata is less vigorous than the usual - in my case, the white form,
> a propagation from a local population, is not only vigorous but completely
> overwhelmed the normal form within a few years. Anyone else seen this?)
>
> -- Steve Marak
Steve:
It is not uncommon for white (or other non-standard colored) forms of
plants to be less vigorous. I'm not a plant geneticist, but I
believe it is called (deleterious) pleiotropy - which basically
means deleterious side effects that result from a major mutation
(like change from standard color to white). Since many genetic
traits result from multiple gene influences, a mutation in onr trait can
cause harmful (or beneficial) changes in other traits.
As far as gardening goes, it means you get a neat new plant, but it
might not be as hardy or vigorous.
Dustin Howarth
Zone 6b, Ashland (central) VA
Dustin Howarth
