2017

TG3005 : Leaf mines on oak

taken 6 years ago, near to Surlingham, Norfolk, England

This is 1 of 3 images, with title Leaf mines on oak in this square
Leaf mines on oak
Leaf mines on oak
The serpentine mines > Link seen on the surface of this oak leaf were caused by a member of the Stigmella sp (Nepticula family), a group of moths which are common and widespread all over Europe (Ireland excepted). Nepticulidae are all very tiny. They are known as leaf miners because their larvae feed internally on leaves. For a view of the underside of this leaf see > Link.
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: · Leaf would seem to have been Caused [45] · Leaf Miners [22] Title Clusters: · Leaf mines on oak [3] ·
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Grid Square
TG3005, 341 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Evelyn Simak   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Thursday, 9 November, 2017   (more nearby)
Submitted
Thursday, 9 November, 2017
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TG 3035 0573 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:36.0297N 1:24.0050E
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! TG 3034 0571
View Direction
Northeast (about 45 degrees)
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Image Type (about): close look 
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