Editing Variegation (section)

{{short description|Leaf with uneven distribution of chlorophyll}}
{{about|variegation in botany|histology|Variegation (histology)}}
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[[image:Cryptocarya williwilliana - juvenile variegated.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Cryptocarya williwilliana]]'' showing leaf venation and variegated leaves]]

'''Variegation''' is the appearance of differently coloured zones in the [[Leaf|foliage]], [[Flower|flowers]], and sometimes the [[Plant stem|stems]] and [[fruit]] of [[Plant|plants]], granting a speckled, striped, or patchy appearance. The colors of the patches themselves vary from a slightly lighter shade of the natural coloration to yellow, to white, or other colors entirely such as red and pink.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Zhang |first1=Jian-Hang |last2=Zeng |first2=Jin-Chu |last3=Wang |first3=Xiao-Mei |last4=Chen |first4=Shui-Fei |last5=Albach |first5=Dirk C. |last6=Li |first6=Hong-Qing |date=2020-11-01 |title=A revised classification of leaf variegation types |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0367253020302024 |journal=Flora |volume=272 |pages=151703 |doi=10.1016/j.flora.2020.151703 |bibcode=2020FMDFE.27251703Z |issn=0367-2530|url-access=subscription }}</ref> This is caused by varying levels and types of [[Biological pigment|pigment]], such as [[chlorophyll]] in leaves.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Variegated Leaves |url=http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/generalbotany/shootfeatures/generalstructure/leafcolor/variegation.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615002817/http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/generalbotany/shootfeatures/generalstructure/leafcolor/variegation.html |archive-date=2016-06-15 |access-date=9 July 2016 |website=UCLA College}}</ref> Variegation can be caused by [[Mutation|genetic mutations]] affecting pigment production, or by viral infections such as those resulting from [[Mosaic virus|mosaic viruses]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Valverde |first1=Rodrigo A. |last2=Sabanadzovic |first2=Sead |last3=Hammond |first3=John |date=May 2012 |title=Viruses that Enhance the Aesthetics of Some Ornamental Plants: Beauty or Beast? |url=https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PDIS-11-11-0928-FE |journal=Plant Disease |language=en |volume=96 |issue=5 |pages=600–611 |doi=10.1094/PDIS-11-11-0928-FE |pmid=30727518 |bibcode=2012PlDis..96..600V |issn=0191-2917|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Many plants are also naturally variegated, such as ''[[Goeppertia insignis]]''. Most of these are herbaceous or climbing plants, and are most often species native to tropical rainforests.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Burtt |first=B. L. |date=1977 |title=Notes on the Rain-Forest Herbs |url=https://ia902803.us.archive.org/31/items/biostor-140081/biostor-140081.pdf |journal=Gardens' Bulletin, Singapore |volume=29 |pages=73–80}}</ref> 

Many species which are normally non-variegated are known to display variegation. Their appearance is desirable to enthusiasts, and many such plants are [[Plant propagation|propagated]] and sold as unique [[Cultivar|cultivars]].<ref name=":1" /> However, in individuals where the variegation occurs in normally-[[Photosynthesis|photosynthetic]] cells, the lack of functioning [[Chloroplast|chloroplasts]] can slow growth rate.<ref name=":0" /> Conversely, naturally-variegated plants derive benefits from their appearance, such as improved photosynthetic efficiency in low-light conditions and herbivore deterrence.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Campitelli |first1=Brandon E. |last2=Stehlik |first2=Ivana |last3=Stinchcombe |first3=John R. |date=March 2008 |title=Leaf variegation is associated with reduced herbivore damage in Hydrophyllum virginianum |url=http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/B07-139 |journal=Botany |language=en |volume=86 |issue=3 |pages=306–313 |doi=10.1139/B07-139 |bibcode=2008Botan..86..306C |issn=1916-2790|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Givnish |first=T. J. |date=1990 |title=Leaf Mottling: Relation to Growth Form and Leaf Phenology and Possible Role as Camouflage |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/2389314 |journal=Functional Ecology |volume=4 |issue=4 |pages=463–474 |doi=10.2307/2389314 |jstor=2389314 |bibcode=1990FuEco...4..463G |issn=0269-8463|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 

The term is also sometimes used to refer to colour zonation in [[Mineral|minerals]] and the [[Integumentary system|integument]] of [[Animal|animals]].