Home • Saccharata proteae CBS 121410 v1.0
Asci with ascospores and pseudoparaphyses.
Asci with ascospores and pseudoparaphyses.
Photo credit: Alan J.L. Phillips.

Saccharata proteae (=Phyllachora proteae =Botryosphaeria proteae) is commonly associated with leaf tip die-back and spots of Protea in particular, but also of Leucospermum species.  The fungus has only rarely been isolated from stem tissue where it usually was a secondary coloniser of wounded tissue.  This is not a serious pathogen, but it causes unsightly damage to leaves.  Its endophytic habit suggests that it is present in all regions where Proteaceae from South African germplasm are cultivated. 
The disease cycle is unknown. The pathogen occurs endophytically and has been isolated consistently from symptomless leaves of Protea spp. and some species of Leucospermum.  It has not been isolated as an endophyte or pathogen from Leucadendron spp.  It is considered to be an opportunistic pathogen and frequently only forms lesions on damaged (leaves stung by insects and stems wounded by borer insects) or stressed tissues. Pseudothecia are commonly observed on senescent leaves during the winter.

 

References:
Crous, P.W., Denman, S., Taylor, J.E., Swart, L. & Palm, M.E. 2004. Cultivation and diseases of Proteaceae: Leucadendron, Leucospermum and Protea. CBS Biodiversity Series 2: 1-228. 

Genome Reference(s)