Taphrina alni (Alder Tongue) recorded in the Highlands

Post date: Apr 19, 2010 9:02:02 AM

Two recent records of Taphrina alni (Alder Tongue),one from Plodda in Glen Affric and one from Dundreggan near the River Moriston have meant that the organisation 'Trees for Life' have posted a short piece about this fungus at the following link:

http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/dundreggan/alder_tongue_fungus_201004.html

I think that the image here is of an old tongue on one of last years female cones- when the tongues first appear they are green, becoming red by mid-summer and then becoming brown with age. The tongue like structure is not the fungus itself but rather a gall (abnormal growth of plant tissue) caused by the fungus which is parasitising the female cones of alder. It can project up to 55mm beyond the cone(according to HA Ellis in his article in Field Mycology 1(3)). The fungus will cause galls on both Alnus glutinosa (Common Alder) and A. incana (Grey Alder). The fungus itself is microscopic and the short, cylindrical asci can be seen by taking a thin section of the gall whilst it is still pliable.

Early records were mostly from Scotland and Ireland but the species has been found in other parts of the UK now. As with most fungi we don't know if that reflects a true increase in fungal range or recording interest. Which ever, we still need information about the distribution of this species so any records would be gratefully received. Liz