Leaf Blight of Dogwood (Cornus florida) Caused by Phytophthora parasitica. S. A. Alfieri, Jr., Plant Pathologist, Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1269, Gainesville 32602. W. H. Ridings (deceased), D. J. Mitchell, and N. E. El-Gholl. Professor, Department of Plant Pathology and Physiology, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29631; Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611; and Plant Pathologist, Division of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Plant Dis. 71:555-556. Accepted for publication 4 December 1986. Copyright 1987 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-71-0555.

A foliar blight of dogwood (Cornus florida) characterized by scattered, rapidly enlarging brown spots with gray-green borders was shown to be caused by Phytophthora parasitica, a pythiaceous fungus known to have an extensive host range. Symptoms developed after a period of heavy rains in a Florida nursery. Similar symptoms developed 3 days after inoculation of 1-yr-old seedlings with zoospores of P. parasitica.