Alder Tongue Gall
Alder Tongue Gall / taphrina alni. Straws Bridge, Derbyshire. 14/08/18.
'SUMMER ALIENS.'
By way of a change from winter birds, a few images of a curious gall I found last summer for the first time.
Distinctly alien looking, it grows exclusively on Alder.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Taphrina alni, is a fungal plant pathogen which causes the Alder Tongue Gall to grow on female catkins. These chemically induced growths distort the ovarian tissues of an Alder catkin, creating tongue-like, contorted protuberances. The gall, called a 'languet', emerges from the outer scales and is green initially. As it ages, other colours develop until, in old age it becomes darkish brown. They remain on the tree for a full year. Its spores are dispersed in the wind.
Alder Tongue Gall
Alder Tongue Gall / taphrina alni. Straws Bridge, Derbyshire. 14/08/18.
'SUMMER ALIENS.'
By way of a change from winter birds, a few images of a curious gall I found last summer for the first time.
Distinctly alien looking, it grows exclusively on Alder.
BEST VIEWED LARGE.
Taphrina alni, is a fungal plant pathogen which causes the Alder Tongue Gall to grow on female catkins. These chemically induced growths distort the ovarian tissues of an Alder catkin, creating tongue-like, contorted protuberances. The gall, called a 'languet', emerges from the outer scales and is green initially. As it ages, other colours develop until, in old age it becomes darkish brown. They remain on the tree for a full year. Its spores are dispersed in the wind.