An Ophiostoma sp. causing a vascular wilt disease of red bay (Persea borbonia [L.] Spreng) is also pathogenic to other species in the Lauraceae family

Abstract

Extensive mortality of red bay (Persea borbonia [L.] Spreng) has been observed in the coastal plains of South Carolina and Georgia since 2003. Dead and dying trees exhibit wilt-like symptoms, and a fungus (an Ophiostoma sp.) and an exotic ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus [Eichhoff]) have been implicated in the disease. Additional information about this disease is provided by Rabaglia and Fraedrich (this proceedings). Sassafras (Sassafras albidum [Nutt.] Nees) mortality was also observed at several sites in Georgia during the spring of 2005. Wilted sassafras exhibited sapwood discoloration, and X. glabratus and the Ophiostoma sp. were also associated with these trees.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings, 17th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2006

Citation

Fraedrich, Stephen. 2007. An Ophiostoma sp. causing a vascular wilt disease of red bay (Persea borbonia [L.] Spreng) is also pathogenic to other species in the Lauraceae family. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W., ed. Proceedings, 17th U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency research forum on gypsy moth and other invasive species 2006; Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-10. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 39.