Three Spurred Neofinetia Flowers

[Hakumin]

Originally Posted by Hiester

Hmm... interesting. So just taking a wild stab at the logic behind this phenomenon, it sounds as if it might be a group of genetically differentiated chimeric cells which are the cause. Assuming this is the case, then this same mechanism can sometimes be the cause of varying degrees of variegation in plant leaves, as well as oddly differentiated colors in blooms of some examples.

There's an article from Plant Physiology Magazine that describes mutant neofinetia flowers including the three spurred variety. I don't think it quite explains why it happens, but it's still an interesting read. (The 'sam-gak-san' they mention is a manjushage, and the 'ok-hyang-ro' is a Tamakouro)

Mutant Flower Morphologies in the Wind Orchid, a Novel Orchid Model Species


Also, peloria may explain this type of mutation. It happens in other species of plants and it's also an interesting thing to read up about.