Inkspot of aspen
- Latin name: Ciborinia bifrons (Whetzel) Whetzel
- French name: Tache d'encre
- Division: Ascomycota
- Class: Dothideomycetes
- Synonym(s): Ciborinia whetzelii (Seaver) Seaver,
Sclerotinia whetzelii Seaver,
Sclerotinium bifrons Ellis & Everh. ex. Sacc. & Syd.
Description
Micro-habitat(s)
Leaf
Distribution
Canada
Damage, symptoms and biology
Brown areas with concentric white zones appear on infected leaves in early summer. By midsummer, the spots coalesce and the entire leaf turns brown. Sclerotia develop in the dead tissues. In late summer, the sclerotia fall out, leaving the infected leaves riddled with holes. The sclerotia overinter in the debris in the litter. During the wet weather of late spring, they form spore-bearing fruiting bodies. The spores are released into the air and infect new leaves.
Light infections are inconsequential. However, repeated infections can kill small trees and weaken larger trees, which can die if exposed to other stress factors.
Canadian Forest Service Publications
Information on host(s)
Main host(s)
Hybrid poplar, largetooth aspen, trembling aspen
Photos
Sclerotia of Ciborinia whetzelii on aspen Al Funk