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    Clone

    /KLOHN/
    ✂️ Propagation Basic

    Also known as: vegetative copy

    A plant that is genetically identical to its parent, produced through vegetative (asexual) reproduction rather than seed. All cuttings, divisions, grafts, layers, and tissue-cultured plants are clones of their parent. Cloning preserves desirable traits exactly — every 'Granny Smith' apple tree in the world is a clone of the original. The downside is genetic uniformity, which makes clonal populations vulnerable to disease.

    Etymology

    Greek klon (twig, slip)

    Example

    Every plant produced from a cutting of that rose bush is a clone, genetically identical to the parent.