Plant Parasites of Europe

leafminers, galls and fungi

gallers on Calluna

Dichotomous table for gallers on Calluna vulgaris

by Hans Roskam

1a Malformations ± witches’ broom-like => 2

1b Leaves clustered at shoot tip, imbricated covered, transformed into a bud-like, egg-shaped gall. Inducer unknown

2a Shoots may bear witches’ broom-like malformations. Many very small (0.1‒0.2 mm) orange uredinia on underside of leaves, which soon fall. Thekopsora fischeri

2b Thin twigs abnormal, twig slightly inflated at insertion. Mytilaspis pomorum

2c Plant with small witches’ broom-like malformations of shoot; leaves clustered, reduced, often ± abnormally pubescent, usually pale-green or reddish discoloured. Aceria exigua

= The rust fungus Thekopsora ericae causes witches’ brooms. Uredinia on underside of leaf, 0.1‒0.2 mm across

Last modified 28.vi.2020