The asexual stage of Monilinia fructigena causes brown rot, mainly in apples, pears and other pome fruits.  Small patches of brown rot appear on the surface of the fruit. These patches spread and cause rotting of the fruit flesh.  Buff-colured pustules that produce the conidiospores appear on the surface, especially in wet weather.  Often the pustules appear in circular or concentric rings.   Sometimes the rot can spread to apple branchces, causing a canker.  It can be a serious commercial and horticultural pathogen. 

Monilinia laxa also affects fruit often stone fruit like plums and cherries, causing brown rot.  It also causes Blossom Blight in apples, pears and stone fruit trees

Photograph on host plant; note substrate and associated plant species.   Microscopic examination may be needed to separate this species from others causing brown rot on fruits in the Rosaceae

Mainly recorded on apple fruits, occasionally other fruits in the Rosaceae

Survives from year to year on infected twigs, branches, old flower parts, or mummified fruit.