<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">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)? </font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">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): </font><a href=http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~clinic/reports/clinic_report_2008.pdf><font size=2 face="sans-serif">http://www.ppws.vt.edu/~clinic/reports/clinic_report_2008.pdf</font></a>
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<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Thanks,</font>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Patricia</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="sans-serif">Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.<br>
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority<br>
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group<br>
US Fish & Wildlife Service<br>
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110<br>
Arlington, VA 22203<br>
703-358-1708 x1753<br>
FAX: 703-358-2276<br>
<br>
Promoting sustainable use and conservation of our native medicinal plants.<br>
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal><br>
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<td width=40%><font size=1 face="sans-serif"><b>ForestRuss@aol.com</b>
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<br><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Sent by: mpwg-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org</font>
<p><font size=1 face="sans-serif">05/16/2011 11:01 AM</font>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">To</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">MPWG@lists.plantconservation.org</font>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">cc</font></div>
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<div align=right><font size=1 face="sans-serif">Subject</font></div>
<td><font size=1 face="sans-serif">[MPWG] Bipolaris in WV</font></table>
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<br><font size=2 face="Arial">MPWG:</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">The Bipolaris fungus has again appeared in
central WV.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">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.</font>
<br>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">In some areas nearly every individual stiltgrass
plant was showing signs of infection by Bipolaris within two weeks of gernination.
</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">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.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">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.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">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. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">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. </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">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.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Look for additional updates as the growing
season progresses.</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Sincerely,</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial"> </font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Russ Richardson, Certified Forester</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">PO Box 207</font>
<br><font size=2 face="Arial">Arnoldsburg, WV 25234</font><tt><font size=2><br>
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