Pocket Plum - Taphrina pruni

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Description

Taphrina pruni is a fungal plant pathogen that gives rise to the Pocket or Bladder Plum gall.  The fruit tin swollen and deformed. Affected fruits have no stone.  The shoots may also be swollen and stunted, and reddish or yellowed. 

Similar Species

Similar galls are found on Bird Cherry

Identification difficulty
Habitat

On Blackthorn and domestic Plum.

When to see it

May to July.

UK Status

Widespread and frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland, though its abundance may vary from year to year.

  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    20 May 2014
    galls on Blackthorn
  • Graham Calow
    Fosse Meadows, Sharnford
    21 May 2014
    on Prunus domestica
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote, Field behind William Spencer Avenue
    01 June 2023
    galls on Blackthorn
  • Graham Calow
    Higham on the Hill
    11 June 2015
  • Hazel Graves
    Watermead Country Park
    17 June 2023
  • Melinda Bell
    Bardon Hill
    20 May 2023
  • Melinda Bell
    Heather, QEDJWood
    01 June 2019

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Common names
Pocket Plum
Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Taphrinales
Family:
Taphrinaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
117
First record:
04/06/2009 (Clough, Jerry)
Last record:
03/07/2024 (Mabbett, Craig)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

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Latest images

Latest records

  • Graham Calow
    A5 near Sketchley Lane, Burbage
    24 May 2015
    galls on Blackthorn
  • Mike Higgott
    County Hall
    03 June 2016
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    20 May 2014
    gall on Blackthorn
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote, Land off Grace Road
    30 May 2023
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    20 May 2014
    gall on Blackthorn
  • Graham Calow
    Sapcote
    20 May 2014
    galls on Blackthorn