Pocket Plum by durleybeachbum
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
This deformed Blackthorn or Sloe fruit has been galled by the ascomycete fungus Taphrina pruni.
They are often called Pocket Plums because the fungus destroys the developing stone and seed leaving a little pocket in each fruit.
The galls are green at first, but become become grey or brown as the spore bearing asci develop on the outside.
The spores infect the stems during the summer and the fungus grows there ready to invade the next year's fruits.
Cultivated plums and other elated fruits , such as Mirabelles are also galled by this fungus.
Thankyou to Linda (RiverCrouchWalker) for making me aware of the common name for these!
Info from'Britain's Plant Galls' by Michael Chinery,
another

Comments (18)
Nice comparison with all the immature fruit, and a very informative narration!
Very interesting and I've not seen one before.
Well composed. Thank you for the botany lesson! I'll know not to eat one of them.
Very interesting and I've not seen one before too;klasse info!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for information.Nice shot.
Two very impressive photos Andrea - no sign of fruit on our plum tree yet - maybe it takes a few years to mature!
I was going to mention how the fungus has some gall but maybe not. Some very interesting and potentially useful information. The green fruit looks remarkably like the oranges I saw in Thailand.
interesting photos and information I wonder how far up the branch one has to prune before the the fungus is eliminated
never seen one; well spotted and captured, thanx for the info about it
Ive never seen one it looks a bit like a birds egg.
Very interesting. I am always learning.
How very Interesting! (thumbnail looked like a bird's egg). We have oak galls but yours is much more photogenic. Fascinating!
Superb capture and a big thank you for the info that you got Andrea. Superb capture Andrea. God bless.
I've never come across this gall ever! So thanks for the info and superb photo!
Graet shot and thank you for the info, Andrea! :o)
Strange nature, eh? Great shot and information!
This really looks amazing, and is interesting to watch. A splendid photo I've never seen something like that. So thank for sharing Andrea.
Neat captures, love it!