Azalea Gall Exobasidium azaleae Peck    Synonyms: Exobasidium rhododendri (misapplied), Exobasidium vaccinii var. rhododendri (misapplied).
Kingdom Fungi   >   Phylum Basidiomycota   >   Class Exobasidiomycetes   >   Order Exobasidiales   >   Family Exobasidiaceae   >   Genus Exobasidium   

Status:

Some studies have suggested that species of Exobasidium are host-specific and limited to closely related host species. Exobasidium azaleae occurs on Rhododendron periclymenoides. Historically, Exobasidium on Rhododendron in Maryland was referred to Exobasidium rhododendri. The current hypothesis (12/2022) is that Exobasidium rhododendri is limited to European species of Rhododendron that would only be found in cultivation in Maryland (GallFormers.org).

Description:

Galls, caused by the fungus Exobasidium azaleae, appear occasionally on Pinxter Azalea in the spring.

There are 13 records in the project database.

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An Azalea Gall on a Pinxter Flower in Howard Co., Maryland (5/13/2017). Found by Felicia Lovelett and determined by Robert Solem. Photo by Kurt Schwarz. (MBP list)

A split Azalea Gall on Pinxter Flower in Howard Co., Maryland (5/15/2017). Spores will not form until later in the year after the gall becomes covered with a white mold-like growth. Determined by Robert Solem. Photo by Joanne Solem. (MBP list)

Azalea Gall in Howard Co., Maryland (5/15/2017). (c) Joanne and Robert Solem, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Joanne Solem. (MBP list)

Azalea Gall in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/27/2020). (c) apistopanchax, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

Azalea Gall in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/18/2019). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)


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