"Fukushima daisies" are perfectly natural

"Fukushima daisies" are perfectly natural

Nothing to be afraid of (probably)
Recently there has been a photo circulating of mutant daisies which were supposedly photographed near the site of the Fukushima nuclear reactor disaster which happened four years ago. 
 
The picture was actually taken some 70 miles away from the reactor, where radiation levels are actually fairly low. But the truth is, it could have been snapped anywhere.
 
The daisies in question are exhibiting a relatively common flower deformity called "fasciation," known colloquially among gardeners as "cresting." Fasciation happens when something causes some of the cells of the flower to grow too fast.
 
In a typical flower, the cells grow out from the central point of the flower. Fasciation causes this point to elongate into an oval. It can be caused by hormonal imbalances, fungal infection, bacterial infection, or a random genetic mutation. 
 
The Fukushima disaster was truly a disaster, and one with long-range consequences. But in the case of these particular daisies? Probably not.