Abstract
Significance The origin and fate of new mutations have received less attention in plants than in animals. Similarly to animals, plant mutations are expected to accumulate with growth and time and under exposure to ultraviolet light. However, contrary to animals, plant reproductive organs form late in an individual's development, allowing the transmission to the progeny of mutations accumulated along growth. Here, we resequenced DNA from different branches differentially exposed to sunlight of two tropical tree species. We showed that new mutations are generally rare in plant tissues and do not mimic branching patterns but can nevertheless be transmitted to the progeny. Our findings provide a perspective on heritable plant mutation and its pivotal role as the engine of evolution.