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The potato appears to propagate by growing an \'eye\'/\'bud\' which eventually g

ID: 31110 • Letter: T

Question

The potato appears to propagate by growing an 'eye'/'bud' which eventually grows into a new plant. So there would probably be single representative of the potato species in the world with all others being genetically identical.

Yet wikipedia indicates there are several closely related species of the potato; apparently as a result of selective breeding. To my understanding (which is probably wrong) there is only a single potato that grows the eyes without the need for a second parent - so there should probably only be the same genes repeated in each potato/plant.

What am I missing here? Why are there multiple varieties of the potato?

Explanation / Answer

You're missing that potatoes also reproduce sexually.

They're flowering plants, and they produce seeds that are not genetically identical to their parent plants.

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