Taphrina insititiae (Sadebeck) Johanson, 1886

on Prunus

Prunus domestica subsp. insititia, Belgium, prov. Namur, Aublai, 2.v.2017 © Sébastien Carbonnelle

leaf with groups of asci

Prunus domestica subsp. insititia, Belgium, prov. Hainaut, Bon-Secours, 16.iv.2016 © Stéphane Claerebout.

gall

the mycelium develops intercellularly in the branches and leaves. This is expressed by an abnormal thickening of the twigs and the development of dense witches’ brooms. According to Klenke & Scholler it also leads to sterility, and a pink discolouration of the foliage that gives off a smell of hay.

hostplants

Rosaceae, narrowly monophagous

Prunus domestica subsp. insititia.

synonyms

Exoascus insititiae Sadebeck, 1864.
The Index Fungorum (2016) and many authors consider Taphrina insititiae a synonym of T. pruni. However, molecular studies by Petrýdesová, Bacigálová & Sulo have demonstrated that it is an autonomous species.

references

Bataille (1936a), Klenke & Scholler (2015a), Petrýdesová, Bacigálová & Sulo (2013a), Sadebeck (1890a).