Vegetative reproduction

Vegetative reproduction is asexual reproduction, but other terms that apply are vegetative propagation and vegetative multiplication. In essence it is any process by which new plant "individuals" arise or are obtained without production of seeds or spores. It is both a natural process in many plant species (including organisms that may or may not be considered "plants", depending on which taxonomy is used, such as bacteria and fungi) and one utilized or encouraged by horticulturists to obtain quantities of economically valuable plants.

Related Topics:
Asexual reproduction - Plant - Seed - Spore - Horticulturists

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Natural vegetative reproduction is mostly a process of herbaceous and woody perennials, and typically involves structural modifications of the stem, although any horizontal, underground part of a plant (whether stem or a root) can contribute to vegetative reproduction of a plant. In a few species (such as Kalanchoë shown at right), leaves are involved in vegetative reproduction. Most plant species that survive and significantly expand by vegetative reproduction would be perennial almost by definition, since specialized organs of vegetative reproduction, like seeds of annuals, serve to survive typically seasonal harsh conditions. A plant that persists in a location through vegetative reproduction of individuals over a long period of time constitutes a clonal colony.

Related Topics:
Process - Wood - Perennial - Stem - Root - Kalanchoë - Leaves - Season - Clonal colony

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In a sense, this process is not one of "reproduction" but one of survival and expansion of biomass of the individual. (When an individual organism increases in size via cell multiplication and remains intact, the process is called "vegetative growth".) However, the new plants that result are new individuals in every respect but genetic. And of considerable interest is how the process appears to reset the aging clock.

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