Pocket Plum by durleybeachbum
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Description
This deformed Blackthorn or Sloe fruit has been galled by the ascomycete fungus Taphrina pruni.
They are often called Pocket Plums because the fungus destroys the developing stone and seed leaving a little pocket in each fruit.
The galls are green at first, but become become grey or brown as the spore bearing asci develop on the outside.
The spores infect the stems during the summer and the fungus grows there ready to invade the next year's fruits.
Cultivated plums and other elated fruits , such as Mirabelles are also galled by this fungus.
Thankyou to Linda (RiverCrouchWalker) for making me aware of the common name for these!
Info from'Britain's Plant Galls' by Michael Chinery,
another
Comments (18)
0rest4wicked
Nice comparison with all the immature fruit, and a very informative narration!
jayfar
Very interesting and I've not seen one before.
PatGoltz
Well composed. Thank you for the botany lesson! I'll know not to eat one of them.
miwi
Very interesting and I've not seen one before too;klasse info!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jay-el-Jay
Thanks for information.Nice shot.
danapommet
Two very impressive photos Andrea - no sign of fruit on our plum tree yet - maybe it takes a few years to mature!
wysiwig
I was going to mention how the fungus has some gall but maybe not. Some very interesting and potentially useful information. The green fruit looks remarkably like the oranges I saw in Thailand.
Faemike55
interesting photos and information I wonder how far up the branch one has to prune before the the fungus is eliminated
Juliette.Gribnau
never seen one; well spotted and captured, thanx for the info about it
Katraz
Ive never seen one it looks a bit like a birds egg.
jendellas
Very interesting. I am always learning.
CavalierLady
How very Interesting! (thumbnail looked like a bird's egg). We have oak galls but yours is much more photogenic. Fascinating!
kgb224
Superb capture and a big thank you for the info that you got Andrea. Superb capture Andrea. God bless.
kaward
I've never come across this gall ever! So thanks for the info and superb photo!
Rhanagaz
Graet shot and thank you for the info, Andrea! :o)
MrsRatbag
Strange nature, eh? Great shot and information!
dochtersions
This really looks amazing, and is interesting to watch. A splendid photo I've never seen something like that. So thank for sharing Andrea.
irisinthespring
Neat captures, love it!