millerandage, a condition of the grape bunch in which there is an excessively high proportion of seedless berries and ‘live green ovaries’ (LGOs) relative to seeded berries. Poor fruit set in the vine is a consequence of either coulure or millerandage. Seedless berries are sometimes known as chicken berries (normal seeded berries are the hens). Whereas seedless berries will mature normally, LGOs do not and remain firm and green. They have been known as shot berries in the past, but this nomenclature is inappropriate because they do not fit the definition of a berry. The condition is due either to inclement weather at flowering, which affects some varieties, merlot, for example, more than others, or alternatively to boron deficiency, or fanleaf degeneration.
