Question: I found a few of these unusually colored (and shaped) leaves growing on a bog rosemary shrub (Andromeda polifolia) along …
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Question
I found a few of these unusually colored (and shaped) leaves growing on a bog rosemary shrub (Andromeda polifolia) along Big Brook on Big Lake, Washington county, ME on June 26, 2025. I thought it might be some kind of hemiparasite, but am coming up emptyhanded. Toadflax has come up, but the leaves on my sample are distinctly pink only. The flowers/fruits that I see appear to belong to the bog rosemary Any direction you can point me in would be greatly appreciated, Debbie.
Answer
Dear Debbie, good morning. I have seen such leaves before on members of the heath family, but I have not yet identified why they are this way. I have always assumed that there may be some type of infection (microorganism), but I am not certain of this. I will pass along to you what causes this if I encounter an answer. Best wishes.
