Variegation

Variegation is the appearance of differently coloured zones in the <a href="/facts/Leaf/1m6wCNTg">foliage</a>, <a href="/facts/Flower/7gI5Kefw">flowers</a>, and sometimes the <a href="/facts/Plant_stem/QlQWSzV4">stems</a> and <a href="/facts/Fruit/PBpuzk60">fruit</a> of <a href="/facts/Plant/X5BMDMvS">plants</a>, granting a speckled, striped, or patchy appearance. The colors of the patches themselves vary from a slightly lighter shade of the natural coloration to yellow, to white, or other colors entirely such as red and pink. This is caused by varying levels and types of <a href="/facts/Biological_pigment/7Lv9jMEd">pigment</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Chlorophyll/1Sb0NyyM">chlorophyll</a> in leaves. Variegation can be caused by <a href="/facts/Mutation/Ee4NnWbY">genetic mutations</a> affecting pigment production, or by viral infections such as those resulting from <a href="/facts/Mosaic_virus/CWvQmBQR">mosaic viruses</a>. Many plants are also naturally variegated, such as <a href="/facts/Goeppertia_insignis/hL5c2LPn">Goeppertia insignis</a>. Most of these are herbaceous or climbing plants, and are most often species native to tropical rainforests. 
Many species which are normally non-variegated are known to display variegation. Their appearance is desirable to enthusiasts, and many such plants are <a href="/facts/Plant_propagation/tHTSBRTI">propagated</a> and sold as unique <a href="/facts/Cultivar/nfaLJJM3">cultivars</a>. However, in individuals where the variegation occurs in normally-<a href="/facts/Photosynthesis/TMV7w693">photosynthetic</a> cells, the lack of functioning <a href="/facts/Chloroplast/fo8U3yTx">chloroplasts</a> can slow growth rate. Conversely, naturally-variegated plants derive benefits from their appearance, such as improved photosynthetic efficiency in low-light conditions and herbivore deterrence. 
The term is also sometimes used to refer to colour zonation in <a href="/facts/Mineral/LkUFbNmv">minerals</a> and the <a href="/facts/Integumentary_system/vCEm01JG">integument</a> of <a href="/facts/Animal/4b8J33nd">animals</a>.

Variegation open-in-new

Variegation