What to Post Here

A gall occurs when an organism causes a plant to grow something that it would not otherwise grow. This can range from a simple thickening of a leaf to complex structures that do not resemble the original plant. There is a lot of room for debate about what counts as a gall. In some cases, we do not have enough information to be sure.

So, what to post? The Gall Week team has adopted a generally broad range for this season's project.

Feel Free to Post
Spangles, blisters, stem swellings, and other abnormal growths, even if the cause may be genetic rather than an outside organism.
Rusts and smuts (but try to exclude mere “dustings” that look like they could be brushed off like powder or cinders can be).
Leaf folds and other distortions that include some plant tissue growth.
Organisms that were living inside a gall, even though they may not be gall inducers themselves.

Please Do Not Post
Cocoons, lerps, leaves that are mechanically folded and glued, and anything else constructed by an insect with no participation by the host plant.
Leaf mines
Powdery mildew
Brown or dead areas on a leaf or other plant organ
Yellow or white leaf spots, where the plant has lost chlorophyll due to insect feeding or to aging.

Posted on April 24, 2024 12:38 PM by nancyasquith