Sunday, April 19, 2009

One shrub, two creepy mystery growths

Our house came with a few of these shrubs, which I thought were azaleas, but haven't bloomed the three springs I've lived here, so maybe not:

They appear to be relatively healthy, and I haven't replaced them yet because every year I think they'll bloom. Today I was inspecting one and found TWO creepy mystery growths!

Creepy Mystery Growth #1 (not my hand):
It's growing more through than on the leaf. The below picture shows it from the other side. It has a fuzzy appearance, almost like a ball of dryer lint, or cotton candy (Scott is convinced this is a cotton candy cocoon from the movie Killer Klowns from Outer Space - LOL).
Creepy Mystery Growth #2:
At first it looked like a deformed flower... but then I took a closer look:
Gross!
Can you help me identify these creepy mystery growths?

8 comments:

Susie said...

Girl I have no idea what that is! Looks like Invasion of the Body Snatchers has taken over your shrub!

Heather said...

Ginger- I have no idea but the mystery will bring me back to read what others think. Yuck! (but in an interesting sort of way!)

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

No idea, it is pretty gross!

Ginger said...

OK y'all, I think #1 is leaf gall. I guess I will just cut off that branch.... Still have no idea what that second THING is!
Ginger

Dirt Princess said...

I'm pretty sure that is an azalea, but I have no clue what that growth is.

"Daffodil Planter" Charlotte Germane said...

Bag 'em and trot over to your favorite nursery for an ID. We have loads of azaleas and I have never seen stuff like that.

Ginger said...

I found one website that makes me think both things could be leaf gall (way down this page: http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B670/B670.htm) Based on the description, the pink may be the very early stage, and the white fuzzy the late stage. Luckily you can just cut off the branch!!
The pink thing is looking a little shrunken/drier today. Still gross though!

tina said...

I totally agree with you-leaf gall. Garden Vue recently did a post on this I think it was her? And I saw something about this on television too. Neat though! Hope you can fix it and the husband is not too disappointed about it not being from outer space:)