I noticed something interesting going on with the purple coneflowers today. It appears there are new flowers growing out of the main cone. My girlfriend thought maybe it was going to seed, but when I searched up "coneflower going to seed" on Google, it looks nothing like this.
Anyone know what this is called?
Reminds me of a witch's broom (a mutation that is desired in many trees for miniaturization). Not sure it is desirable on a flower head though as how would one clone a flower? Interesting nonetheless.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch%27s_broom
It's "aster yellows", an incurable disease of plants in the aster/composite family. You should pull out the infected plant and dispose of it (do not compost) and watch for symptoms in adjacent plants.
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/diseases/viruses/aster-yellows.aspx
