Sorosporium saponariae. [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria].
Abstract A description is provided for Sorosporium saponariae. Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Dianthus and Saponaria spp. and other members of the Caryophyllaceae including Arenaria, Cerastium, Lychnis, Minuartia, Moehringia, Petrorhagia, Silene, Stellaria and Tunica spp. DISEASE: Flower smut of the Caryophyllaceae.GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Africa: Algeria, Morocco. Asia: USSR (Caucasia, Siberia, Turkestan). Australasia: Australia (33, 634). Europe: widespread, including Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Finland France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Yugoslavia. North America: USA. South America: Argentina, Chile (33, 634). Southern hemisphere records are infrequent. TRANSMISSION: No detailed studies have been reported. Floral organs, including ovules, frequently develop in infected flowers (55, 3947), therefore seed transmission is probable, with systemic infection established in seedlings from either this source or contaminated soil.