A homeotic mutant, then, refers to a mutation that alters the normal developmental pattern and leads to organ "A" developing at the site of "B," and "B" could be partially or wholly replaced by "A."
Most results have been from homeotic mutants, the importance of which to floral evolution remains unknown.
Many homeotic mutants have been identified in plants, primarily in the flower (An, 1994; Bowman et al., 1989, 1992, 1993; Coen, 1991; Crone & Lord, 1994; Drews et al., 1991; Flanagan & Ma, 1994; Jacket al., 1992, 1993; Jordan & Anthony, 1993; Krol & Chua, 1993; Lord et al., 1994; Saedler & Huijser, 1993; Veit et al., 1993; Weigel & Meyerowitz, 1994) and leaf (Freeling et al., 1992; Marx, 1987; Murfet & Reid, 1993; Schneeberger et al., 1995).