Definition

Noun: - An abnormal tufted growth of small branches on a tree or shrub: A dense, bushy cluster of deformed twigs and small branches, resembling a broom, that grows from a single point on a plant. This growth is caused by a disease, often due to infection by fungi, viruses, or phytoplasmas, or by infestation from insects or mites. It can also result from other physiological disturbances or genetic mutations.

Usage

• The term is used specifically in botany, horticulture, and forestry to describe a specific symptom of plant disease or stress.
• It is a compound noun, typically written with an apostrophe as or as a closed compound .
• Example: "The forester identified the dense, tangled mass in the pine tree as a witches' broom, a sign of possible fungal infection."

Examples

• "The apple tree's productivity declined after several witches' brooms appeared in its canopy."
• "Gardeners often prune out witches' brooms to prevent the spread of disease and to improve the plant's appearance."
• "In some plant species, a stable witches' broom mutation is deliberately propagated to create dwarf ornamental cultivars."

Advanced Usage

• The phenomenon is named for its resemblance to a broom, with folklore sometimes attributing its cause to witches.
• In plant pathology, the presence of a witches' broom is a key diagnostic symptom for specific diseases, such as those caused by the fungus on birch trees or certain phytoplasma infections.

Variants and Related Words

• Witch's broom: A common variant spelling, treating "witch" as singular possessive.
• Hexenbesen: The German term for the same phenomenon, literally meaning "witches' broom."
• Broom (in this context): Can be used informally as a shortened form, e.g., "The fir has a bad broom."

Synonyms

• Broom (botanical context)
• Tufted growth
• Dense shoot proliferation

Related Phrases

• Witches' broom disease: The broader condition or pathogen responsible for causing the abnormal growth.
  • Example: "The cocoa plantation was devastated by an outbreak of witches' broom disease."

Notes

• Not to be confused with a regular, healthy dense growth of branches. A witches' broom is distinctly abnormal, often stunted, and densely packed with small, short twigs.
• While often detrimental, some horticultural varieties (like certain dwarf conifers) originated as witches' broom mutations and are intentionally cultivated.

Noun

1. an abnormal tufted growth of small branches on a tree or shrub caused by fungi or insects or other physiological disturbance