How Genetic Dominance Affects Flower Color

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Written By Peter Morris

Genetic expression

Dominance is a description of genetic expression.  The various flower color variations are due to the degree at which the individual genes are expressing for this one trait.

Plants have two sets of chromosomes in their cells, each containing many genes in a sequence along its length. The ones in the same locations (facing each other) on both chromosomes control an expression. We call these genes alleles.

Diagram of chromosome showing alleles

Lets look at the color of flowers as an example.  When both dominant genes are the same RED/RED -you get red flowers!  Ditto for white (lack of pigment) - when both are equal WHITE/WHITE you get white flowers. 

Both alleles are the same for the trait of red color petals 

Dominant vs Recessive

Many times these alleles are not identical.  This is usually caused by a harmless mutation. Since they are related but not equal we call them variants.

The stronger one that actually has the trait expressed is termed “dominant”.  The less expressive one is called “recessive”.  In genetics both facing alleles have to be recessive for it to be expressed. In genetics, we call this phenomenon Dominance. 

Types of Dominance

Complete Dominance

When the alleles are mixed (different), RED/WHITE , then the stronger gene overrides the effect of the weaker and you get red flowers as well.  That is complete dominance!

Incomplete Dominance

When the alleles are mixed, RED/WHITE , and BOTH have a partial effect.  You get pink flowers.  That is incomplete dominance!

Both alleles are partially expressed

Co Dominant

When the alleles are mixed, RED/WHITE , and BOTH have a FULL expression.  You get flowers with both red and white parts.  That is co dominance!

Both alleles are fully expressed and independent

Over Dominant

When the alleles are mixed, RED/WHITE , and BOTH have an enhanced expression.  You get flowers with a more exaggerated color than that of the dominant one. That is over dominance - and it is very rare! The picture below is just for illustration.

Super red

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Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

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