Sabal Germination Curiosities

[MichaelB]

I have observed a couple of curious odd ball germinations amongst a batch of Sabal pumos and Sabal palmetto 'Lisa'. I would consider these very atypical and was curious if anyone has any thoughts on why this is the case.

 

For the pumos, my thoughts are genetic mutation.

For the Lisa, I am wondering if this is a result of hybrid fertilization.

 

 

Sabal pumos - Instead of developing a typical cataphyll, a deformed navel-like structure has formed. To me, it seems the cataphyll is forming inside out.

 

 

 

 

 

For the Lisa - The atypical specimen has three very different characteristics than its siblings.

- An extremely short radicle

- A very different looking cataphyll

- And additional tissue structure not present in the other two specimens

[LeonardHolmes]

Interesting. That stuff usually happens underground so it's hard to know what's common.  Maybe the oddballs usually die beneath the soil.  Keep us in the loop and show us what they look like as juveniles?

[MichaelB]

3 hours ago, LeonardHolmes said:

Interesting. That stuff usually happens underground so it's hard to know what's common.  Maybe the oddballs usually die beneath the soil.  Keep us in the loop and show us what they look like as juveniles?

I will!

[MichaelB]

Another Sabal curiosity today. When moving several Sabal palmetto 'defuniak springs' from a community pot into individual containers I came across this curiosity. It reminded me of the below post I came across not so long ago about a polyembryonic sabal. I am not sure if that is what is going on with my specimen, but I believe its possible. Very unusual indeed.

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/74193-polyembryonic-sabal-palmetto-seed/

 

 

[MichaelB]

Sabal Pumos Update. It appears the ligule is splitting open and perhaps the cataphyll is going to emerge. Honestly, I am surprised to see this, as I didn't expect much out of this one.

 

Also, Another interesting germ I came across. A similar situation as the previously mentioned palmetto Lisa, only this time it is Sabal minor. I am really curious about this. I would love to hear from anyone who is experienced in hybridizing whether they think that this difference in appearance is likely due to this or some other reason.

 

 

 

 

[MichaelB]

Pumos Update:

It looks like a severely deformed cataphyll is continuing to emerge, and the tip of the eophyll is starting to emerge. Even though the tip of the eophyll appears dead, I have a feeling its going to start emerging green. 

 

 

[Fusca]

Not a Sabal but I thought this germinated Pritchardia pacifica seed was pretty odd.  Supposedly it is a remote, nearly adjacent germinator and it pushed a 1 1/2" eophyll before any roots.  I've seen this with pinnate palms but not with a palmate palm.  One month later it still has minimal roots and the eophyll has grown almost another inch in length.

[MichaelB]

7 minutes ago, Fusca said:

Not a Sabal but I thought this germinated Pritchardia pacifica seed was pretty odd.  Supposedly it is a remote, nearly adjacent germinator and it pushed a 1 1/2" eophyll before any roots.  I've seen this with pinnate palms but not with a palmate palm.  One month later it still has minimal roots and the eophyll has grown almost another inch in length.

Cool! Thanks for sharing!