By Eileentong
United Kingdom 
Here's a photo of a foxglove found in my garden, with an usual flower at the top - is it simply cross-pollination.
Regards, Eileen Tong
10 Jun, 2012
Answers
Wow.... Love that!!!! Agree will be Interesting to see if seeds from this repeat the cracking big flower at the top.... Really interesting! Thanks for sharing x
10 Jun, 2012
Proliferation might be the word you're grasping for, Fractal... usually caused by some damage to the flower bud (frost, or physical damage).
10 Jun, 2012
I don't care what its called its cool
10 Jun, 2012
Well each to his own I guess - Magnadoodle loves it, you think its cool, I find it unnatural, unattractive and a bit creepy, lol!
10 Jun, 2012
I am the same as Bamboo. I would have snipped this one flower off. I very much doubt if seed from this flower would come true, in fact, any seed would probably be sterile.
10 Jun, 2012
No, can't say I like that flower!
10 Jun, 2012
is the name fasciation the one you are looking for? Probably caused by damage in the very early bud formation.
10 Jun, 2012
I thought fasciation affected stems more than flowers, Seaburn?
10 Jun, 2012
Yes it does when two more ore stems bond together and produce an extremely large bloom - don't like that either! We have as an occasional problem with primulas.
10 Jun, 2012
Proliferation or fasciation.
I too find them a bit monstorous and creepy if I am honest. An aberration; Even if they do proliferate fascination! ;)
10 Jun, 2012
If it was a single flower on its own and you didn't know it was a foxglove those of you who don't like it might think it was rather nice.
10 Jun, 2012
No, I don't think so Steragram... the flower 'looks' malformed to me. Rather like most double flowers do.
10 Jun, 2012
I do have a thing for freaks of nature...... Should show yOu all Mr Doodle hehehe
10 Jun, 2012
Puts me in mind of 'Little Shop of Horrors.' Make sure you lock all your doors and windows at night! ;o)
11 Jun, 2012
i have one just like this - look up peloric foxglove on google and you'll find answers
11 Jun, 2012
Very interesting Littlenic, thanks for the reference. The only quibble I've got is the flower on the one on this thread looks thickened, whereas the peloric ones I looked at on line don't - they're just a different shape. It may be just the photograph though, can't really tell. Is yours thickened, littlenic?
11 Jun, 2012
Thank you for the info. Littlenic - never knew they were peloric before - not just foxgloves either!
11 Jun, 2012
hi bamboo - i'll put a picture of mine up to compare
11 Jun, 2012
i have had to post it as a new question rather than put the pic here
11 Jun, 2012
Yes, I've seen it - if anything, I find it even more repulsive than the one here, lol!
11 Jun, 2012
Um sorry but, yuck!
11 Jun, 2012
Have received a detailed answer from the RHS at Wisley. To summarise, they think it's probably something called "terminal peloria" .
12 Jun, 2012
Yes, that's what littlenic said above, Eileen
12 Jun, 2012
There is a scientific name for deformations such as this, Alas it eludes me.
Never seen it on a foxglove before; Very odd.
I have had similar things happen with a rose and a sunflower. Even an old Astrantia went mad for a year.
It will be interesting if any seedlings inherit the gene for next year..?
10 Jun, 2012