Taphrina populina (Fr.) Fr.
Taphrina leaf blister
Taphrinaceae
Species account author: Ian Gibson.
Extracted from Matchmaker: Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.
Introduction to the Macrofungi
Taphrina leaf blister
Taphrinaceae
Species account author: Ian Gibson.
Extracted from Matchmaker: Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest.
Introduction to the Macrofungi
Photograph
Species Information
Summary:
Taphrina populina causes golden yellow leaf spots on cottonwood and aspen in BC (Callan 1998). Taphrina populi-salicis Mix causes golden yellow leaf spots on cottonwood and willow in British Columbia (Allen) and is found in Oregon and California as well (collections at NYBG). "Taphrina may live saprophytically in a yeast-like phase, overwintering on dormant bark and buds. Spores from the yeast phase are spread by wind and rain during the spring after bud break, when they infect young leaves before the cuticles has hardened." (Callan from Mix 1949). The first signs of infection are swollen, cupped, round to oval blisters, 0.5-several centimeters across on leaves in spring. The blisters turn golden yellow as asci mature on the undersurface of the leaf. Infected areas may be colonized by secondary molds and yeasts, becoming reddish or blackened late in the growing season.
Microscopic:
spores 4-6.5 x 4-5 microns, round, colorless; asci 30-122 x 13-30 microns, (Callan), no paraphyses (Funk)
Notes:
includes BC
Habitat and Range
SIMILAR SPECIES
Taphrina populi-salicis is difficult to distinguish, but may be separated on ascus and ascospore size range and to a lesser extent, host range: spores of T. populi-salicis are 1.5-5 x 0.5-4.5 microns, and asci are 50-106 x 13-30 microns. Taphrina occidentalis (mostly reported as Taphrina alni) is commonly reported in the Pacific Northwest - it produces a dark tongue-like gall on female alder catkins.Habitat
on P. trichocarpa (Black Cottonwood), TXD, TXN hybrids; T. populi-salicis is limited to P. trichocarpa and Salix (willow) spp., (Callan for BC)