What you are describing sounds like fasciation, which is a kind of genetic mutation. Professor T. Ombrello of the department of biology at Union County College has a brief explanation of this condition.
Excerpt:
"One interesting type of mistake that is occasionally found in plants is known as a fasciated or crested growth form. It is usually the result of a growing point changing from a round dome of cells into a crescent shape. Subsequent growth produces a flat stem. In some cases fasciation is the result of several embryonic growing points fusing together, with the same flat-stem appearance. [... ] What causes plants to produce fasciated stems? For the most part, we just don't know. Fasciation has been induced experimentally by applications of plant hormones, severe pruning, wounding, and atypical day lengths. Most, however, appear by chance with no obvious cause."
Colorado State University Extension addresses the phenomenon of fasciation in more detail, mentioning various possible causes:
- bacterial infection
- inherited genetic trait
- herbicide, insect, or physical damage to the growing tip
- garden conditions that favor rapid growth
- spontaneous mutations
You don't need to do anything, unless you would like to remove the odd-looking growth. You may want to look into whether herbicide has been used, or if there have been insects feeding on your Daphne. Also, avoid over-fertilizing, which could promote excessively fast growth.
Season
All Season
Date 2011-04-09
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