Gnomeogenesis

Gnomeogenesis, also known as budding, is the process by which gnomes reproduce.   All gnomes "bud" at least two to seven times within their natural lifespan, producing fruit that will potentially become viable offspring. Gnomes that live in complete isolation from other gnomes will produce direct genetic clones of themselves. However, gnomes with close sexual and/or romantic relationships with other gnomes bud more frequently, producing offspring that retain some epigenetic traits of their mates—regardless of whether that mate is a forest gnome or a rock gnome. The same is true, albeit to a much lesser extent, of gnomes that take non-gnomish life partners.