My houseplant - Biological anomaly, mutation, or evolution?

[gsdx]

I have 2 pots with this plant in them for almost 5 years. They have all been the same until recently when this leaf sprouted and began growing. It is unlike any of the other leaves which have been growing since I planted them. Originally, the leaves are long and spiked at the tip, dark green, with a lighter green trim around the edges. This new leaf, as you can see, is lighter green and variegated. It may be difficult to see, but the edge trims are still present.

What do you think? Is it an anomaly or a mutation or evolution?

 

[72-Jay]

I have a plant of that same type.. sometimes the new leaves don't quite match at first, but not quite as different as that one.

 

[gsdx]

You can see one leaf bent over. I was going to take it off, but it's been like that for months and I just left it as it is.

As for the new leaf, I'm most intrigued by the different shape. It's like a completely different plant.

 

[DantheManFL]

I'd keep a very close eye on it, but whatever you do, don't poke it!

 

[gsdx]

I'd keep a very close eye on it, but whatever you do, don't poke it!

Funny. I posted the same movie this morning in another thread, but I used the 1956 movie with Kevin McCarthy: http://www.justusboys.com/forum/thr...at-this-is?p=10384938&viewfull=1#post10384938

 

[Willie Boy]

Whatever you do do NOT bleed on it!

 

[gsdx]

^ Nor name it Audrey.

 

[Willie Boy]

^ Nor name it Audrey.

But I will call you "Seymore" from now on.

 

[G-Lexington]

But I will call you "Seymore" from now on.

That was sudden.

Lex

 

[Vannie]

Damn kids growing marijuana! I'm calling the police!

 

[NotHardUp1]

Neil, it is most likely a sport. Perhaps mother-in-law's tongue is grafted onto some kind of root stock, namely the plant that the new leaf represents.

There is also the possibility that there was some root, spore, or seed that finally took off after long dormancy.

Finally, you might look inside the base of the leaf: it's entirely possible that you are witnessing it flowering.

 

[Cormac135]

Perhaps a spore or seed entered on the wind through the window and started to flower.

 

[gsdx]

Perhaps a spore or seed entered on the wind through the window and started to flower.

If it came through the window, it would have to pass through the screen, rise vertically a half metre or so, make a right-angle turn to the left, and drop into the pot. Athletic little spore.

 

[Willie Boy]

That was sudden.

Lex

Was it? He's growing an Audrey and feeding it blood. No matter what he says we know it to be true!

 

[dpnice]

It is a "sport". If you look up images of Mother-in-law's Tongue you will find examples exactly like your plant.

If you detach the leaf carefully you can grow it on as a new plant.

 

[EJMichaels]

I currently have five species of sanseveria, although none with the contrasting edges since I don't like those as much. Anyway, the more boldly patterned one in your picture looks (to me) similar to the others in the shape of the variegation pattern, but different in color intensity. When I gave mine supplemental light, the new leaves looked very different at first glance, but it was mainly a difference in color/brightness. Many variegated plants change with the amount of light -- some can lose the pattern entirely.

For anyone interested in these -- http://www.bobsmoleys.com/sansev.html has an outstanding collection.

 

[gsdx]

It is a "sport". If you look up images of Mother-in-law's Tongue you will find examples exactly like your plant.

If you detach the leaf carefully you can grow it on as a new plant.

Thanks. I never knew the name, but when I Googled it, I found both types, and both go by the same name: Sansevieria trifasciata.

I'll see about replanting it. I'll be replanting my Christmas cactus and my Jade soon, so there should be room in one of them for it.

And EJ, thanks for the link.

 

[72-Jay]

You can see one leaf bent over. I was going to take it off, but it's been like that for months and I just left it as it is.

Yep, I've left bent over leaves alone, and they seem to live just fine like that.

As for the new leaf, I'm most intrigued by the different shape. It's like a completely different plant.

Really interesting, especially seeing later posts and the 'Sport' thing

Damn kids growing marijuana! I'm calling the police!

but... If I so wished, I could legally grow up to 6 plants(I believe thats what they say in the law)
And I believe, pot is legal in Canada where gsdx lives?

Mother-in-law's Tongue

I've always heard it called a "Snake Plant" (which with the patterns on the leaves I can see why...)

 

[gsdx]

I've always heard it called a "Snake Plant"

Different name, same plant. (Thank goodness for Google!)

Granted, before this thread, I didn't even know it was called 'Mother in Law's Tongue'.

 

[gsdx]

And I believe, pot is legal in Canada where gsdx lives?

Not yet, but we're working on it:

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana, and his government plans to get started next spring.

Meanwhile, simple possession of marijuana remains a criminal offence.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/0...arijuana-before-legalizing-it_n_10427936.html

The NDP (New Democratic Party) are asking Justin Trudeau to decriminalize pot first, but Justin fears that criminal activities would become rampant if they suddenly became 'legal'. Better to control it.