susanb Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 I was just looking at one of my old roses and it has some bright red growths on one of the leaves looking like star-fish or anemones. They spike out on both sides of the leaf and look very peculiar (a bit like something out of Mario Galaxy on the Wii...if that helps!). I have never seen anything like it and wonder if anyone else has any ideas if it is good or bad or poisonous etc. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 OK I am going to be brave and be the first to ask - are you sure they arent rosehips? Many apologies if I am wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 rose hips:-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_hip you'll have to copy and paste to have a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanb Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 thanks - but nope, not rose-hips. smaller and spiky like coral or anemones or almost like spiky urchins. They go "through" the leaf - as much on the back as on the front. No "body" to them - just all the spikes coming out. and a really pretty bright red/pink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Do they look like they should be there or do you think they might be some sort of fungus/pest etc..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanb Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 They should not be there. There is only one leaf on the plant that has them....it has 4. I think it is probably a fungus and so I plan to cut off the leaf and throw it away. But if it is a really bad fungus then I'd like to do the necessary so it does not spread to my other plants (even if that means digging up this one plant - a wild white rose). My mother-in-law (who is visiting this week) thinks it looks very pretty and that I should keep it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Sorry Susan I've no idea what the growth is, but I've found my roses doing much better this year since I've watered them with some beneficial funghi (as well as feeding etc) which improves the health of the roots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanb Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 ah-ha...my husband has helpfully found the answer..... its a plant gall caused by a parastic wasp....they lay their eggs and then these growths are to provide shelter and food for the grubs. Sometimes known as "robins pincushion". Having already had to deal with 2 wasps nests this summer - I think I will be squashing the leaf tomorrow!! if you are interested: http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/galls%20p1.html#RobsPin thanks, all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Blimey weird but very pretty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I think it sounds like Robins Pincushion - a form of gall. http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/galls%20p1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I think it sounds like Robins Pincushion - a form of gall. http://www.bugsandweeds.co.uk/galls%20p1.html The hedgerows here are full of them, bright red. I've just picked some to put in a vase. Very pretty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
