Pest Alert - Rhododendron/Azalea/Camellia Leaf Gall

rhododendron leaf gall
Leaf gall on rhododendron.

Rhododendron/Azalea/Camellia leaf gall is a minor plant disease caused by the fungus Exobasidium vaccinii. The fungus affects mainly young leaves and flowers of plants such as rhododendron, azalea, camellia, blueberry and others. The affected plant parts become fleshy, swollen, and pale green. The galls eventually produce white spores all over the surface. Later, the galls turn brown.

Control consists of simply removing the galls before they become white with spores. Pluck the galls from the plant then get rid of all of the galls in the trash or compost. Sanitation, not chemicals, is the best control for this disease.

Leaf gall on deciduous Flame azalea
Leaf gall on deciduous Flame azalea

Leaf gall on deciduous azalea
Leaf gall on deciduous azalea

camellia leaf gall
camellia leaf gall

leaf gall on deciduous Flame azalea
leaf gall on deciduous Flame azalea

leaf gall on deciduous azalea
leaf gall on deciduous azalea