March 02, 2008

Survival Toolkit: article on Galls

Interesting article

http://waynesword.palomar.edu/pljuly99.htm

To Be Or Not To Be A Gall

The Story Of Strange Growths On Plants

Galls are caused by many organisms living on plants,
including insects, mites, mistletoe, fungi and bacteria.

Table Of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Destructive Galls
3. Galls Caused By Mistletoe
4. Fasciated Stem Galls
5. Galls Caused By Fungi
6. Galls Caused By Insects
7. Initiation Of Insect Galls
8. Spruce Pineapple Galls
9. California Jumping Galls
10. Jumping Beans Not Galls
11. The Fig Gall Controversy
12. Desert Trumpet Controversy
13. Acacia Thorn Gall Misnomer
14. Wayne's Word Gall Links
15. Wayne's Word Fig Links
16. Some References About Galls


1. Introduction

The mysterious origin of strange growths on the stems, leaves, flowers and roots of plants have intrigued naturalists for centuries. Called galls or hypertrophies, these tumorous (neoplasmic) outgrowths develop from rapid mitosis and morphogenesis of plant tissues and come in an astounding array of colors, shapes and sizes. Galls may be smooth, spiny or fuzzy, and resemble everything from marbles and ping-pong balls to dunce caps, saucers and sea urchins. Many galls provide the food and brooding structure for various species of harmless insects. Because of the general nature of galls, many authors refer to any swollen structure bearing insects as galls. This is not only incorrect, but it detracts from the marvelous evolution of some remarkable plant species which have literally developed little "condos" to house their special symbiotic insects. These help-mate insects provide a vital service to their host plant in the form of pollination or protection in a highly competitive environment where these plants could otherwise not survive.

Swollen stem galls on the branchlets of a canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis) caused by a cynipid gall wasp (Andricus spectabilis?).

More on link..


No comments:

ShareThis