Answer to Question #4014 in Biology for Danielle

Question

I have a plant that has mostly 4-petaled flowers, but one bud opened up and has 5 petals. I was told this is impossible. Do I just have a mutation on my hands, or did someone prank me? I can send pictures.

Answer 1

Two variants are possible:
A. If your plant are transplanted from other plants, it can be a regenerant somaclones. It’s
mutation.
B. If the plant is not transplanted, it is a phenomenon polypetalous flower, which is referred to
teratological phenomena (from the Greek “teratos” – ugliness). Double flowers are called
abnormal flowers with an increased number of petals, in most cases they are the result of
conversion of stamens (sometimes carpels) into petals. This phenomenon used in horticulture
for the development of new varieties of plants.