2017

TG3204 : Leaf galls on alder (Alnus glutinosa)

taken 6 years ago, near to Rockland st Mary, Norfolk, England

Leaf galls on alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Leaf galls on alder (Alnus glutinosa)
The galls are caused by the gall mite Aceria nalepai, which causes pouch galls to form in the angles between the midrib and the primary veins on the leaves of alder (Alnus glutinosa) either alternately or in pairs. The galls are filled with russet hairs amongst which the mites live, with the hairs often emerging on the underside of the leaf, forming small patches.
Plant galls

Galls are abnormal growths, swellings, pustules or discolourations produced by a plant or other host under the influence of another organism, involving the enlargement and/or proliferation of host cells and the provision of both shelter and food or nutrients for the invading organism. Galls provide a home for the larvae or grubs of certain invertebrates, where they can feed and develop, and each type of gall-producer or causer is specific to a particular kind of plant. Galls come in many shapes including spheres, knobs, lumps, warts or blisters, each being characteristic of the causal organism, and can have a range of colours. Galls can be found on the stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and roots of plants. Although many varieties of plants can be affected, oaks and willows are particularly rich in galls. Oaks are said to be host to more than 500 different types of galls. Weather, plant susceptibility, and pest populations affect the occurrence of plant galls.

Certain galls are documented to have been used in the production of ink since at least the time of the Roman Empire, and iron gall ink was the main medium used for writing in the Western World from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. Oak marble galls > Link for instance, were introduced in the early 19th century in an attempt to grow our own supply of galls for making ink. In Chinese medicine, oak galls are used as a remedy called moshizi, which is used for treating dysentery, ulcers and hemorrhoids among other things. Native Americans used poultices of ground gall nuts on sores, cuts and burns. The high content of tannic acid also makes oak galls a good source for tanning and dyeing.

Galls cause little permanent injury and rarely kill the infested plant.

For more detailed information go to the British Plant Gall Society's website at LinkExternal link


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Evelyn Simak and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Wild Animals, Plants and Mushrooms
This photo is linked from: Automatic Clusters: · Galls are Caused [13] Title Clusters: · Leaf galls on alder (Alnus glutinosa) [3] ·
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TG3204, 422 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Evelyn Simak   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Sunday, 15 October, 2017   (more nearby)
Submitted
Sunday, 15 October, 2017
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TG 3219 0402 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:35.0621N 1:25.5602E
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TG 3220 0403
View Direction
Southwest (about 225 degrees)
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Image Type (about): close look 
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