Biscogniauxia_atropunctata

<i>Biscogniauxia atropunctata</i>

Biscogniauxia atropunctata

Species of fungus

Biscogniauxia atropunctata, the hypoxylon canker, is a species[2] of sac fungus in the family Graphostromataceae. Like many other fungi in the genus, it is a plant pathogen; specifically this species can cause Biscogniauxia (Hypoxylon) canker and dieback disease in host trees.[3][4]

Quick Facts Biscogniauxia atropunctata, Scientific classification ...

Taxonomy

Biscogniauxia atropunctata contains the following varieties:

  • Biscogniauxia atropunctata maritima[2]
  • Biscogniauxia atropunctata atropunctata[2]

Description

Patches of the fungus can reach a few metres across. It is white, sometimes with black patches, and usually with a black margin.[5]

Similar species

In addition to other species within the genus, Diatrype stigma, Camarops tubulina, Kretzschmaria deusta, and species of Camillea can appear similar, as can Arthonia lichens.[5]

Distribution

This species is found in spring and early summer east of the Rocky Mountains of North America.[6]

Ecology

When not pathogenic, Biscogniauxia atropunctata is saprobic on oak and other hardwood trees, causing a white rot on the host deadwood. The fruiting body grows in patches with a whitish-gray surface covered by black dots that grow to be blackened overall.[6]

The fungus can colonize healthy trees and live undetected and harmlessly in the bark and sapwood for some time, its spread kept in check by the host's natural defenses. However, when the trees become stressed, the fungus invades weakened host tissues, causing the dieback disease. Initially the infection kills affected branches, then progresses down the trunk to form a canker, girdling the tree and killing the entire crown.[4]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Biscogniauxia atropunctata.
  1. [1]
    Pouzar, Z. (1979). "Notes on taxonomy and nomenclature of Nummularia (Pyrenomycetes)" (PDF). Česká Mykologie. 33 (4): 216.
  2. [2]
    "Biscogniauxia atropunctata (Hypoxylon Canker)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  3. [3]
    "Hypoxylon canker of oak". The University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  4. [4]
    Jennifer Olson (February 2017). "Biscogniauxia (Hypoxylon) Canker and Dieback of Trees". Oklahoma State University Extension.
  5. [5]
    Audubon (2023). Mushrooms of North America. Knopf. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-593-31998-7.
  6. [6]
    Michael Kuo (April 2019). "Biscogniauxia atropunctata". MushroomExpert.Com.
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This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Biscogniauxia_atropunctata, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.