HISTOLOGY OF WITCHES-BROOMS ON BETULA-PUBESCENS

Witches' brooms caused by Taphrina betulina on Betula pubescens formed from the development of large numbers of axillary shoots on infected buds. Broom shoots showed vigorous growth during the first season, but died in the second or third year after initiation. Occasional adventitious root production was noted at the base of broom shoots. Cortex and secondary phloem tissues of the central gall-like structure of the brooms expanded. The bark of infected material lacked brachysclereids, and tangential ray parenchyma of the secondary phloem were also absent. Numerous shoot bases and aborted axillary buds were present within the bark. Abundant starch granules were present, especially in the phellogen and phelloderm layers. Distortion of the internal lignified tissues was due to the presence of multiple vascular connections from the proliferation of shoots on the broom.