The carnation, Dianthus caryophyllus L., a species with decussate phyllotaxis, has a helicoidal one-quarter cladotaxis branching pattern. This pattern may be either a right-or left-handed spiral. Morphological studies of the axillary bud primordia area show a well developed lateral branch primordium along one helix and none along the other helix. Rooted cuttings from right-handed spiral branching plants produced plants in approximately equal numbers with right- and left-handed spirals. Similar results were observed for left-handed spiral plants. This equal distribution from a clone indicates that the branching pattern of the lateral shoot is independent of the branching pattern of the shoot of origin.