Hi All, I am new to the forums and have joined because I would like some help identifying a rather strange meadow flower I came across in central Europe. I have attached some pictures below. The time of the year is late April/Early may. The plant was growing in rather heavy clay soil that holds moisture. The plant resembles a printer cartridge ribbon (the cable that is attached to the print head in an inkjet printer). That's about all the information I have aside from the attached pictures. Would be happy to know what this plant is as I've spent quite a few hours trying to identify it with no success.
This is an example of fasciation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasciation Looks like a butercup or something, the small flowers will be normal. The flower was damaged somehow as it formed.
Hi Eric, Many thanks for this! I've spent a long time trying to identify the plant only to now discover it's the result of an abnormal biological process. Fascinating! I think you are right that it is a fasciated buttercup - the field is full of them as the following picture shows (abnormal specimen is in bottom, centre of the photo). Thanks again! John
