Cryptodiaporthe Corni (Diaporthales), Cause of Cryptodiaporthe Canker of Pagoda Dogwood

ABSTRACT

Cryptodiaporthe corni was collected on pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) in the northern and eastern United States during investigations on dogwood anthracnose. The anamorph was produced abundantly in cultures derived from single ascospores and conidia. Myxosporium nitidum is the earliest name for this anamorph, also known as Zythia aurantiaca. A distinctive bright orange pigment produced in pure culture on several media was similar to the color observed on dogwood twigs containing ascomata and conidiomata. This study includes the first description of the fungus in pure culture and a redescription of the teleomorph and anamorph. Results indicate that Cryptodiaporthe corni is restricted to Cornus alternifolia, occurring throughout the range of the host. In addition, characteristics of the fungal growth in culture, the conidiomata and the conidia differ significantly from the dogwood anthracnose fungus.

Key Words:

• apiospore
• coelomycetes
• Cornaceae
• Cryptodiaporthe
• Diaporthales
• dogwood
• fungal pigments
• Myxosporium
• twig dieback
• Zythia