Why Coneflowers Develop Green Petals: Genetics vs. Disease

Q: My white coneflowers now have green petals. Should I pull them?

Two possibilities:

1. Genetic reversion: Seed from last year's flowers carried a recessive gene for green rays (petals). Your flowers look undistorted, supporting this.
2. Phytoplasma: A bacterium-like disease causing green, distorted flowers.

I lean toward genetic reversion. Seeds from green flowers are likely sterile. If you get consistent green rays year after year, you might have a marketable novelty!

Coneflower with green ray petals