There have been more than once I’ve rolled my eyes, like an Exorcist movie extra, when reading on-line comments about the causes of variegation in plants. Thankfully, our plant friend, Dr. Michael Marcotrigiano got so fed up, he actually wrote a book about the subject, Understanding Variegated Plants, to help dispel many of the oft repeated myths, like all variegation being viral, etc.
While there are several books showcasing variegated plants, we’ve never encountered one that set out to fully explain what causes them. Variegation in plants is quite complex, with many different variegation types and causes, from chimeras to transposons. Some variegated plants have more than a single cause at work. Michael does a great job breaking down the subject to something that’s understandable, but only if you already have a good understanding of botany or horticulture. This is a fascinating subject, so if you want to understand more, this new book is a great place to start. You can find this on-line from any of your favorite book sellers.
Or, if you are a JLBG member, take advantage of our extensive horticultural library on site collected by Tony Avent during the span of his life-long career. Access to the library is provided on site.
