variegation (variegashon)

[= Pg. va riegação; as variegate + -ion.] 1. Varied coloration; the conjunction of various colors or color-marks; party-coloration.-2. In bot.: (a) The conjunction of two or more colors in the petals, leaves, and other parts of plants. (b) A condition of plants in which the leaves become partially white or of a very light color, from suppre ion or modification of the chlorophyl. Plants showing this unnatural condition may be otherwise quite healthy, and are often prized on account of their peculiar appearance. The cause is not well known. It sometimes occurs in a single branch of a tree, and may be thence propagated by grafting. As a permanent and often congenital peculiarity it is to be distinguished from chlorosis (which compare).