“A Real Monster Nightmare”: 50 Times Mother Nature Glitched Out And It Led To Interesting Plants

Michigan State University Extension horticulture educator Gretchen Voyle says that it's important to note that not every odd-looking plant is fasciated.

"With any kind of strange growth, the first thing to do is eliminate the possibility that the odd leaves or stems were caused by a light dose of weed killer or herbicide," she writes.

Voyle explains that "lawn herbicides with 2-4,D leave grasses untouched, but kill broadleaved plants in lawns."

"However, when a small amount drifts onto a broadleaf plant, it can cause the new growth to take on a bizarre appearance."

In these cases, leaves can become twisted or pig-tailed, thickened and stiff, almost like rigid plastic.

"Sometimes, tissue is rippled or rolled. There may also be browning to leaf margins or the entire leaf," Voyle adds.