Anthracnose is a disease that affects black and purple raspberry varieties and some red varieties. It is caused by Elsinoe veneta, a fungus that overwinters on canes infected the previous season.

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Appearance and Damage:

  • Reddish-purple spots on young canes that transition from tiny to large spots) with ash-gray centers and purple borders.

  • Early lesions are called “pit lesions.” By late summer/early fall, “gray bark” symptom may form.

  • Spores are produced by the lesions (spread by wet weather)

  • Canes may become weakened, causing susceptibility to winter injury and possible death of canes.

  • Cankered canes might produce abnormal fruiting branches with malformed fruit

Management & Treatment:

  • Utilize controls early in the season-infections early in the growing season cause the most significant damage

  • Sanitation and spraying are critical and effective management practices

  • Cut out all diseased canes and any visible infections

  • Destroy old fruiting canes after harvest

  • Remove weeds and spindly canes to provide good air-flow

  • Remove all wild brambles as they can serve as a reservoir for the disease


Resources: PennState Extension, Ohio State University Extension, and Michael Phillips, “The Holistic Orchard”