Do plants get cancer? The answer is, ‘Yes’, if cancer is defined as dysregulated cell growth, but typically plant cancer is different than in animals. Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that limits metastatic spreading of cancer cells through the plant. Instead, the tumor grows as a single mass called a gall. Also, most plant tumors/galls are caused by a viral infection that disrupts the normal expression of genes. Here is an example that I found in my garden. I think this is an onion bulb where the new shoot has developed as a tumor of abnormal stem/leaf cells.
Related Post
Fresh BlueberriesFresh Blueberries
The days pickings from blueberry plants in my garden. These are planted in pots to better control soil acidity and moisture. Post provided by CF.
Monterey PineMonterey Pine
Pinus radiata is native to the California coast. In the mid-19th century seedlings were sent to New Zealand for evaluation. The example you see here is from one of those original test plantings in Wellington, New Zealand and is approaching 175 years old. Pinus radiata is now the foundation of commercial forestry in NZ and in Chile because in these locations this species grows faster and larger than in California with trees ready for harvesting in just 30 years.
In MiniatureIn Miniature
Enjoy this garden shed miniature model. The scale is 1 inch = 1 foot. Note the copper penny in the foreground placed there for scale.