[MPWG] Bipolaris in WV

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

So, I see that this fungus is native to Appalachia. Has the research also 
looked into whether/how this fungus is impacting native plants in the 
understory (such as black cohosh)? 

I've just seen mention in a 2008 report that anthracnose was diagnosed on 
black cohosh (and pitcher plants) that year, which may be the black 
splotching I saw on BC in the woods a couple years ago.  See VaTech's 
Plant Disease Clinic 2008 Report for further info on that (p. iv): 
http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~clinic/reports/clinic_report_2008.pdf

Thanks,
Patricia

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276

Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>




ForestRuss at aol.com 
Sent by: mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
05/16/2011 11:01 AM

To
MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
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Subject
[MPWG] Bipolaris in WV






MPWG:
 
The Bipolaris fungus has again appeared in central WV.
 
The first Microstegium plants started to germinate in mid April and within 
two weeks seedlings were starting to sport Bipolaris lesions.  In many 
locations the lower blades of the stiltgrass plants had already died and 
in a few areas the plants appeared to die almost as soon as they 
germinated.  The photo below was taken in an area that is at the leading 
edge of a SG invasion....hopefully the end of a SG invasion.

In some areas nearly every individual stiltgrass plant was showing signs 
of infection by Bipolaris within two weeks of gernination. 
 
By mid May the infection has spread throughout this population.   In many 
areas the stiltgrass is becoming non competitive as the foliage dies back 
and the surrounding native vegetation overtakes and dominates the ground 
cover.
 
The "persistent" thatch produced by stiltgrass that lives through its' 
full life cycle appears to rot very quickly in the face of a Bipolaris 
infection.  There are some areas where Bipolaris has been active for 
several years and neither thatch or healthy Mv seedlings are present.
 
For people wishing to see Bipolaris in action, we will be hosting a 
program at Crummies Creek Demonstration Forest in cooperation with the 
West Virginia University Extension, the Woodland Owners Association of WV 
and the National Woodland Owners Association on Saturday June 25 and some 
of the session will involve visits to areas where Bipolaris has been 
active for several years as well as areas subjected to annual mechanical 
control for over ten years. 
 
Special permits to move Bipolaris infected plants to other parts of West 
Virginia are available through the WV Department of Agriculture. 
Intentional movement of diseased plants from WV is possible as long as a 
permit is obtained from APHIS. 
 
However, Bipolaris, which appears to be native to the central Appalachians 
showed up in Maryland and Virginia last year and the wet spring of 2011 
has not hampered the spread of the fungus so it should be expected in more 
locations this summer.
 
Look for additional updates as the growing season progresses.
 
Sincerely,
 
Russ Richardson, Certified Forester
PO Box 207
Arnoldsburg, WV 25234
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