Taphrina pruni

Pocket plum gall

Description

Taphrina pruni is a fungal pathogen that primarily infects woody plants of the genus Prunus spp., including various species of plums, cherries, and other Prunus species. Infected flowers give rise to deformed fruits that develop faster than healthy fruits. They have an elongated shape, are flattened, and covered with a white layer of fungi. These fruits do not form a stone/pit. Starting in July, diseased fruits gradually fall off. When Taphrina pruni infects a Prunus tree, it also induces the development of abnormal outgrowths and swellings on branches and shoots. The severity of deformations caused by the Taphrina pruni fungus varies depending on the specific Prunus species. The shape of deformed fruits also significantly differs depending on the Prunus species. In some cases, the infection can lead to pronounced deformations in the structure of branches, resulting in stunted or twisted growth. Taphrina pruni typically infects trees in early spring when fungal spores are dispersed by wind or rain. Spores penetrate the tissues of the host plant and later colonize flowers and developing fruits. The fungus thrives in moist conditions, and infection can spread through wind drift, water, or insect vectors.