Submitted by [deleted] t3_10s087q in askscience
Longshot_45 t1_j6zmaty wrote
Genetically they will be clones. Sometimes this process is called cloning. First difference will be that the mother plant, grown from seed, will have a tap root. The clone will not. The importance of the tap root will vary between plants. For some it's not an issue at all, for others it may mean less vigorous growth.
Again on cloning, some plants will naturally be able to make clones from clones indefinitely. Others will have a limited number of generations they can produce.
floralnightmare22 t1_j736kte wrote
Do you know what differentiates the clones that can keep cloning indefinitely from ones with limited cycles ?
Longshot_45 t1_j73copi wrote
Here's one article on trees, that suffer from deficits after cloning.
https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-11003684
And here's an article about sea grass that's been doing it for 4,500 years.
Polyploidy seems to be the mechanism in the genetics of plants such as the seaweed that allows this behavior.
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