Whether or not the story is true, the symbolism of the thistle (ahem, sorry for the pun) took root and is honored to this day. Other facts about the thistle include that it is a biennial plant, meaning it takes two years to complete its life cycle. It reseeds easily. It's a combination of beauty and ruggedness. It has a spreading, invasive root system, hence its classification as weed.
imprinted gene, a gene whose expression has been affected by genomic imprinting so that only a single allele functions, the other being turned off by epigenetic mechanisms during embryonic development.
Imprinting. A process whereby a young animal follow the characteristics of his/her mother after hatching.It can be filial imprinting or followiing a future mating partner.Example: A young chick after hatching can follow his/her mother and adapt to the environment where his/her mother goes, and also the movement of his/her mother. process whereby a young animal follow the characteristics of his/her mother after hatching.It can be filial imprinting or followiing a future mating partner. Example: A young chick after hatching can follow his/her mother and adapt to the environment where his/her mother goes, and also the movement of his/her mother.