Pieris japonica - flowers hang down, fruits hang up

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by wcutler, Mar 5, 2020.

  1. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Isn't this curious? I don't seem to have ever paid this much attention to Pieris japonica, but it was a nice splash of colour long before I was expecting any, and there were all these fruits facing up, yet all the new flowers hanging down. If fruits and flowers were going to orient themselves opposite ways, I'd have expected it to work the other way, with heavier fruits hanging down. I had to work at convincing myself that the fruits and flowers were from the same shrub.

    And is this Pieris japonica 'Passion'?
     
  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    Last edited: Mar 5, 2020
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  3. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Kinda defies gravity though, doesn't it?
     
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  4. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    The word to describe the phenomenon is resupinate (or resupination). Note that a plant organ (flower, leaf, fruit) can become resupinate either through growth or through dessication (as in this case).
     
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