Species #53: Ghost’s Ears
Ghosts’ Ears
Exobasidium vaccinii
I am not positive about the species identification, but I’m pretty sure the genus is correct and the information I found on-line regarding fungal infection of False Azalea suggested this species. Assuming the species identification is correct, apparently the fungal galls (shown here) were occasionally eaten by some Native groups.
They certainly look like azalea leaves. It also looks like leaf gall, the result of a fungus. I would not eat the galls. All parts of azaleas and rhododendrons are toxic.
Comment by Billl Miller — July 14, 2007 @ 2:13 am
Thanks for the comment. In this case, the plant is not a true azalea, though the appearance is quite similar. I’ve never actually heard of anyone eating False Azalea, and the deer don’t seem to eat much of it either, but neither have I heard about it being poisonous. That said, I’m not all that interested in eating the galls. I just thought it was interesting that apparently some people did.
Comment by goff — July 14, 2007 @ 10:22 am