About Erysiphe platani (Howe) U.Braun & S.Takam.
Erysiphe platani, commonly called sycamore powdery mildew, is a fungus originally native to North America that currently infects sycamore tree species across the globe. Infections can spread quickly in urban areas with dense groups of young trees, or in commercial plant nurseries. This powdery mildew grows best under high humidity conditions throughout the growing season. Infected trees develop leaf discoloration and puckering as the fungus spreads across buds and leaf surfaces. The clearest visible symptoms, including leaf curling, stunting, and distortion, develop on susceptible newly emerged leaves. This infection only affects leaves, and produces no obvious visible effects on tree stems or branches. Tree management practices like fertilization and pollarding increase the number of young shoots, which are the tree parts most vulnerable to Erysiphe platani infection.
