Q: We’ve had this plant in our yard for at least seven or eight years, and this year it sprouted this unusual branch. It’s about 1.25-inches wide and the thickness of a normal “round” branch. We have never seen this before. Is this normal? Or is there something wrong with this plant?
A: The odd branch is not normal but it’s also not a big deal. We call it fasciation and it is abnormal growth in which the growing tip becomes elongated perpendicularly to the direction of growth producing flattened, ribbon-like or crested tissue. Some plants have mutations like this periodically and are prized aesthetically for this feature.
You might occasionally see saguaro cacti with this fasciation. We have one on campus near Old Main that draws a lot of attention. Viruses, mites, or environmental factors sometimes cause the mutations.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to plwarren@cals.arizona.edu.
