The fungus forms patches of
mycelium on the leaves of its
host. The mycelium and chasmothecia can be found on either the upperside (most commonly) or occasionally on both sides of the leaf.
Erysiphe abeliana, like most Erysiphaceae, is highly host-specific and is currently known only to infect cultivated
Abelia x grandiflora, a hybrid between
Abelia chinensis and
Abelia uniflora. While the powdery mildew has not been recorded on these hosts, it seems likely that it may infect at least one of them, and the species may even originate from their native ranges in
East Asia. Only one other species is currently known from the genus
Abelia:
Erysiphe abeliae, which is known only from the type collection in
China. == Taxonomy ==