Pawpaw leaf spot

Symptoms

Scattered small brown-to-purple spots on the leaves, sometimes with a paler centre dotted by tiny black fruiting bodies; mostly cosmetic, with heavy late-season spotting causing some early leaf drop. Pawpaw is otherwise strikingly pest-free.

Plants affected

• pawpaw

Common questions

How do I recognise Pawpaw leaf spot on pawpaw?

Scattered small brown-to-purple spots on the leaves, sometimes with a paler centre dotted by tiny black fruiting bodies; mostly cosmetic, with heavy late-season spotting causing some early leaf drop. Pawpaw is otherwise strikingly pest-free.

Do I have to report Pawpaw leaf spot?

No. Pawpaw leaf spot is not a notifiable organism, so there is nothing to report to an authority. Treat it as a normal garden problem.

How is Pawpaw leaf spot treated?

Mainly with biological and cultural measures — removing affected material, changing the conditions that favour it, and treating with agents approved in your country. The exact steps and their timing depend on the plant, the season and where you live: Dr. Phyto works them out in a free diagnosis.