PHOTOS: Palm Diseases Caused by Phytoplasmas:  Lethal Yellowing and Texas Phoenix Palm Decline

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Figure 1.  Premature fruit drop is an early symptom of Texas Phoenix palm decline.  Virtually all the fruit drops at one time. (full-res image)

Figure 2.  Death of the inflorescence (flowers) is an early symptom of Texas Phoenix palm decline.  This photo also illustrates a dead spear leaf (youngest leaf that has not unfolded), which is tan and not green. (full-res image)

Figure 3.  Discoloration of the lowest (oldest) leaves is an early symptom of Texas Phoenix palm decline. (full-res image)

Figure 4.  Discoloration of the leaves begins at the leaf tips. (full-res image)

Figure 5.  Phoenix sylvestris exhibiting symptoms of Texas Phoenix palm decline.  Note there are more dead lower leaves than would be normal for a healthy palm.  Also, the spear leaf (youngest leaf that has not unfolded) is tan and not green. (full-res image)

Figure 6.  Close-up of dead spear leaf in Figure 5. (full-res image)

Figure 7.  Note the spear leaf has died and is hanging down from the canopy of this Phoenix sylvestris affected by Texas Phoenix palm decline. (full-res image)

Figure 8.  The spear leaf has already died in this Phoenix sylvestris, and it has already broken off from the canopy.  Unlike Figures 5-7, without a close examination of the bud, it would not be apparent that the spear leaf had died.

(full-res image)