Taphrina alni is a fungal plant pathogen that causes Alder tongue gall, a chemically induced distortion of female alder catkins (Alnus glutinosa).[1][2]
"Alder tongue gall" | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Phylum: | Ascomycota |
Class: | Taphrinomycetes |
Subclass: | Taphrinomycetidae |
Order: | Taphrinales |
Family: | Taphrinaceae |
Genus: | Taphrina |
Species: | T. alni |
Binomial name | |
Taphrina alni (Berk. & Broome) Gjaerum, 1966 |
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Synonyms | |
Taphrina amentorum |
T. alni produces a distinctive tongue-like growth which derives mainly from the ovarian tissues of the alder catkin or from the bracteoles. These alder pseudocones may carry several tongue galls, each of which usually appear to come from the same position; those curling down usually come from the bracteoles tissues and those projecting upwards usually come from ovarian tissues.[3]
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This gall was rare in the United Kingdom and is absent from many of the published gall keys, although common in Western Europe. It has been recorded in Cornwall first in the 1940s,[4] and then in Northumberland, Ayrshire and Skye, mainly since the 1990s. It is becoming quite common throughout the United Kingdom.[4][5][6]
The gall develops on the maturing pseudocones and the spores produced are carried by the wind to other trees.
Removing and destroying the galls may help to reduce the infestation. While fairly large, and sometimes present in quite large numbers specimens, they cause no measurable harm.
The gall, known as a 'languet',[7] develops emerges from between the outer scales like a flat shaped elongated flag with a hard and slightly shiny surface. The surface is smooth, lacking any hairs. The outer edges are rounded and the end is more broadened than the foot of the 'flag'. Early in the season the flag is fresh and green, but the colours soon start to vary from pale green to yellow, pink, red, purple and orange. Later the galls turn brown or black and remain on the tree for a long time (until the next season).[8] The gall is therefore very persistent and remains attached to the pseudocone throughout its existence, even remaining attached after storms have detached branches and pseudocones.