A handsome specimen of this species was observed to show 

 marked stem fasciation for the first time this summer. The shrub 

 which sent up numerous shoots ranging from 6 to 8 feet in 

 length, exhibited fasciation in approximately one-third of its 

 shoots. The branches which are normally almost terete showed 

 flat, ribbon-like expansions from one-fourth to an inch or more 

 in width. In cases where the growth was equal on both sides 

 the stem retained its straight direction but in many stems the 

 growth on one side was more rapid and vigorous than on the 

 other and spiral torsion resulted. In some cases the stem curved 

 so that complete circles were formed. Irregularly placed, short- 

 petioled leaves which were smaller and more numerous than 

 those on the normal stem occurred on the fasciated shoots. The 

 inflorescences also were greatly increased in number and grew 

 in crowded masses in abnormal positions. 



A search of the literature showed no account or figure of 

 fasciation of Lespedeza occurring in America. Figini 1 in an ar- 

 ticle on inheritance of fasciation of Antirrhinum majus men- 

 tions fasciation of Desmodium penduliflorum, a name sometimes 

 given as a synonym for this species. 



No cause for the malformation is evident. Cultural methods 

 have been the same as in previous years and there is no evidence 

 of injury to the initial meristem either by fungi or by the action 

 of insects. Lespedeza Sieboldii can be grown by division of the 

 clump or by cuttings. An attempt will be made to propagate the 

 fasciated shoots by both of these methods and further observa- 

 tions will be made on the original plant to determine if possible 

 whether the fasciation is of germinal or somatic origin. 



University of Colorado, 

 Boulder, Colorado 



1 Figini, G. P. L'ereditarieta della fasciazione nell' Antirrhinum majus L. 

 Nuovo Gior. Bot. Ital. 33(1): 65-87. 1926. (Biol. Absts. 1:8564. 1926-27.) 



