Hydrolyzes membrane phospholipids, such as PtdCho (phosphatidylcholine), producing the free headgroup and PtdOH (phosphatidic acid; signaling molecule on its own). a 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine + H2O = a 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate + choline + H(+) Inhibited by butan-1-ol. Expression is observed in spores, increases about two- to three-fold at 0.5 hour to 1 hour during spore germination, and then rapidly decreases. The mRNA is not detectable in vegetative cells or in early multicellular development on filters, but is present late during development, approximately at the time of sporulation. Belongs to the phospholipase D family.