Gall caused by the rust fungus 'Uromycladium notable' on a branch of 'Acacia dealbata'. Photo: Supplied
An Acacia dealbata branch bearing large, brown, lobed, and inflated galls on the mature seed pods was brought to the museum for identification.
These growths were caused by the rust fungus Uromycladium notabile.
The galls grow for many seasons and can reach a diameter of 35cm. Severe infections can kill trees in two or three years, although most host trees live on for much longer.
The galls become covered with brown urediniospores and teliospores.
Tiny black pycnia containing pycniospores are produced and are dispersed by the wind, spreading the infection to other Acacia trees.
These galls were a familiar sight on banks of roadside council land near my grandmother’s house, and I made a collection of the various insects present on the galls when I was a child.
