Taphrina deformans

Taphrina deformans
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Taphrinomycetes
Order: Taphrinales
Family: Taphrinaceae
Genus: Taphrina
Species:
T. deformans
Binomial name
Taphrina deformans
(Berk.) Tul. (1866)
Synonyms
  • Ascomyces deformans Berk. (1860)
  • Exoascus deformans (Berk.) Fuckel (1870)
  • Exoascus amygdali Jacz. (1926)
  • Taphrina amygdali (Jacz.) Mix (1936)

Taphrina deformans is a fungus and plant pathogen, and a causal agent[s] of peach leaf curl. Peach trees infected with T. deformans will experience leaf puckering and distortion, acquiring a characteristic downward and inward curl. Leaves will also undergo chlorosis, turning a pale green or yellow, and later show a red or purple tint. Fruit can either drop prematurely or show surface distortions. Severe infection can also produce lesions on the flowers. The host tree will experience defoliation if the leaves are badly diseased. If a seedling is severely infected, it may die. Almond trees display similar symptoms.