Mutated flowers fascinate Te Awamutu residents

Mutated Sorbonne Oriental Lily (left) and the standard bloom at right.

A lily gone wrong in Ngaire Phillips' Teasdale St garden has been causing quite a stir with her friends — and even passers-by.

The Sorbonne Oriental Lily has thrown a stem unlike anything Ngaire has seen before.

She thinks it is known as a mutation.

The large head has about 160 florets, instead of the usual six, and the stem is 10cm wide and much leafier than usual.

The mutation has grown from a 2-year-old bulb.

Another Te Awamutu resident has come to the party with images of her similarly mutated flower.

Janet Holden says the flowers are affected by 'fasciation' - a rare condition of abnormal growth in plants.

Janet Holden says the flowers are affected by 'fasciation' - a rare condition of abnormal growth in plants.