A witches broom is a phenomenon that occurs in plants, particularly in trees, where abnormal branching growth is observed. It gets its name from the resemblance it bears to the traditional broom used by witches. This abnormal growth is usually characterized by an excessive proliferation of small twigs and branches that emerge from a single point on a parent branch or trunk. The cause of witches broom can vary depending on the specific plant species and environmental conditions. It can be caused by various factors such as genetic mutations, infections by pathogens, hormonal imbalances, or insect infestations. In some cases, witches broom can also be induced artificially through techniques such as grafting or pruning.
In some cases, witches broom can also be induced artificially through techniques such as grafting or pruning. Witches broom can have both positive and negative impacts on plants. In some cases, it can be beneficial as it stimulates the growth of new shoots, resulting in a denser and more compact canopy.
Pine Witches' Broom Mite PDIC Factsheets
Pine witches' broom mites, Trisetacus floridanus and other closely related eriophyid mites, cause noticeable bunched growth on pines often referred to as witches or witch's brooms. Eriophyid mites are unusual in that they have only four legs situated at the front of a worm-like, cylindrical body. Pine witches' broom mites are extremely small (280 to 375 microns long—just visible with a 10X hand lens), and the abdomen has 65 to 70 encircling rings with microscopic bumps. The tiny legs each have a feather claw with eight rays on each side. The light yellowish white female mites lay relatively large eggs from which hatch first nymphs that grow and molt into second nymphs that grow and molt into adult mites. Like many eriophyid mites, Trisetacus mites inject their saliva into their hosts as they feed. This saliva acts like a plant growth regulator by shortening stem growth and encouraging numerous adventitious buds to form (the witches' broom). Specimens have been collected in growing terminal shoots from January through August. Pine witches' broom mites probably overwinter in bark crevices and under bud scales. We probably have several generations per year in North Carolina.
An illustration of the pine witches' gall mite taken from Keifer et al. 1982. The entire abdomen has rings with micro bumps.
An illustration of the pine witches' gall mite taken from Keifer et al. 1982. The entire abdomen has rings with micro bumps.
A damaged pine bud opened to show the eriophyid mites inside (arrows). These mites are incredibly small.
A damaged pine bud opened to show the eriophyid mites inside (arrows). These mites are incredibly small.
This can be advantageous in certain horticultural practices, such as bonsai cultivation or creating dwarf varieties of trees. However, witches broom can also have detrimental effects on plants. The excessive proliferation of shoots can lead to weakened branches, making them more susceptible to breakage and damage from wind or heavy snow loads. The increased density of twigs and branches can also restrict the airflow and sunlight penetration within the canopy, compromising the overall health and vigor of the plant. Witches broom is often considered a disease or disorder in plants, and various measures can be taken to manage or control its occurrence. This may include pruning affected branches, using appropriate fungicides or insecticides to combat pathogens or pests, or even removing the entire affected plant if necessary. Overall, witches broom is a fascinating yet sometimes problematic phenomenon in plants. Its unusual growth patterns can be both intriguing to observe and challenging to manage, making it an interesting subject of study for botanists, horticulturists, and plant enthusiasts..
Reviews for "The Medicinal Uses of Witches' Brooms in Traditional Medicine"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "What is a witches broom csuued". The story started off promising, with an intriguing premise about witches and brooms. However, the execution fell flat. The characters were poorly developed and the dialogue was unnatural. Additionally, the plot was predictable and lacked any real tension or excitement. Overall, I found the book to be boring and unoriginal.
2. Michael - 1 star
I couldn't even finish reading "What is a witches broom csuued". The writing was incredibly sloppy and filled with grammatical errors, which made it difficult to follow the story. The pacing was also extremely slow, and I found myself losing interest within the first few chapters. The lack of descriptive language made it hard to visualize the scenes and connect with the characters. Overall, I found this book to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Jessica - 2 stars
"What is a witches broom csuued" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The plot started off interesting, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The author introduced too many subplots and side characters, which distracted from the main story. The writing style was also lackluster, with repetitive phrases and clichéd dialogue. I struggled to connect with the characters and found myself not caring about their fates. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.