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.
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Enjoy this garden shed miniature model. The scale is 1 inch = 1 foot. Note the copper penny in the foreground placed there for scale.
Two on OneTwo on One
Adenium obesum (Desert Rose) showing 2 flower types on the one plant thanks to a grafted stem (can you see the joint?). This plant is well suited to San Diego summers as it needs little water and likes it hot. The flowers, leaves, trunks and roots are all interesting. Plants can be lifted and repotted to display the roots. In winter they are dormant so absolutely no watering and keep them above 40F.
Early Bee Gets the FlowerEarly Bee Gets the Flower
A wonderful closeup of a bee feeding on a wildflower in 92131.
Photo submitted by S. Newton