THE WITCHES' BROOM OF TABEBUIA PALLIDA IN PUERTO RICO

Abstract

A witches' broom of Tabebuia pallida has been known for many years and has been attributed to several causes such as fungi and insects but without definite proof in any case. This abnormality develops during periods of rapid growth as numerous short shoots in which the leaves are smaller than normal. A few apparently normal shoots with normal leaves are usually present among the abnormal twigs. The nodes of the abnormal shoots are thick and the internodes short. A few flowers and an occasional short seed pod may appear in the broom. All the shoots are green for several weeks or months. This is followed by the death of some of the shoots and eventually the entire broom. A few new shoots may develop in the old broom during periods of active growth for years. In some cases the majority of branches on a tree develop these very unsightly brooms.