University of Illinois Extension

University of Illinois Extension

Hort Answers

Fungal Disease

Phomopsis Gall
Phomopsis spp.

Phomopsis galls on forsythia.
Phomopsis galls on forsythia.
 
Frequency
2 (1 = rare 5 = annual)
 
Severity
3 (1 = very little damage 5 = plants killed)
 
Hosts
Phomopsis spp. causes forsythia and azaleas to develop abnormal growths or galls. (It can also be found on weeping figs growing inside buildings as house plants.)

 
Plants Affected
 
Symptoms
Galls can be as small as a pea to as big as an inch or more. The size of the gall varies with plant infected, the age of the plant tissue and where on the plant infection occurs. In general the galls are "round" and are found singly or in small clusters. On forsythia, the galls are often clustered.

 
Life Cycle
The fungus lives for several years in the galls before dying. Little is known about the life cycle of this pathogen.

 
Management
Prune out and destroy infected plant tissue.

 
Related Resources
Home, Yard & Garden Pest Guide
Illinois Commercial Landscape and Turfgrass Pest Management Handbook
U of IL - Distance Diagnosis through Digital Imaging
U of IL - Plant Clinic