Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 14:12:49 -0700 (PDT) From: Gary <garko@sfsu.edu> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2385$foo@default> Subject: Variation in VFTs
Hi Everyone--
It seems that this topic has come up an awful lot lately, so I thought I'd
describe a couple of mutants that I have. I purchased them from a
drugstore chain last year, simply because there were two plants growing in
the same pot, both of relatively large size, and thought two for the price
of one was something I just couldn't pass up. This year, both plants sent
up flower stalks, bearing flowers with 6-7 widely splayed, reflexed
petals. (Reminiscent of a type of cosmos.) The anthers completely lacked
pollen. In contrast, two "typical" plants, with pollen-bearing flowers,
held their petals in a bowl-shape which held the pollen that had fallen
from their anthers.
Meanwhile, the sterile-anthered plants began sending up side growths.
Between the two, there must be at least a dozen new side shoots. One of
them is sending up a two-trapped leaf! (I'm recording its development on
film.) In addition, the mutants produce traps that aren't quite right.
Some of the trap lobes seem somewhat short, about 5/6 the length of a
typical trap. Closure also seems strange. Some close slowly, while
others begin slowly, almost straining to close, and then snap suddenly--as
if the leaf surface is warped. This doesn't seem to hamper the plants'
ability to trap--almost every single leaf has something in it.
Because this plant asexually reproduces so freely, I'm sure it's common
enough in collections. It'd be fun to hear how many others on the list
also have VFTs exhibiting the same mutations.
Gary
p.s.: As I've said, I have two other "typical" plants growing in the same
pot and conditions as the mutants, so I doubt their variations are due to
environmental factors.
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Jan 02 2001 - 17:31:04 PST