“Dragon tongue” mustard with four cotyledons (seed leaves)

Germinated outdoors so pardon the slug damage

  • @The_v
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    58 months ago

    It’s a mutant. Likely caused by a spontaneous twining of the cotyledon immediatly after fertilization of the embryo. I’ve seen it a number of times. As the cotyledon is genetically separate from the embryo it is not passed on to the next generation.

    • @TropicalDingdong
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      08 months ago

      As the cotyledon is genetically separate from the embryo

      • @The_v
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        18 months ago

        In angiosperms, double fertilization occurs. The pollen grain contains two sperm cells. In the female part of the flower, one gamete forms into an egg and two gametes fuse together to form a megagametophyte.

        Both the egg and the megagametophyte are fertilized by the pollen grain. The fertilized egg forms the embryo. The fertilized megagametophyte forms the endosperm . It is the fusion of 3 seperate gametes (triploid).

        The endosperm (nutrient storage structure) becomes the cotyledon.

        • @TropicalDingdong
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          08 months ago

          Thank you. I used to know these things, but its been so long.