Abstract
INJURIOUS FUNGI IN CALIFORNIA.—The following facts recorded by Prof. W. G. Farlow are not without interest in Europe: Nicotiana glauca, abundant in Mexico, attracts attention by its pleasing foliage and graceful habit; it is a native of Buenos Ay res, but is acclimatised in Mexico. Within the last few years it has escaped from cultivation in California, and is now a common weed by the roadsides. At San Diego Prof. Farlow noticed that the leaves were badly attacked by a fungus which formed large, grayish-black spots on both sides of the leaves. Examination proved it to be Peronospora hyoscyami, De Bary, which was first found on Hyoscyamus niger, L., in Europe, where it does not appear to be at all common. Since it is well known that the species of Peronospora attack different species of flowering plants which belong to the same natural order, it is much to be feared that the disease which now attacks N. glauca may sooner or later extend to the cultivated tobacco, which belongs to the same genus. If this were to happen, the injury to the tobacco would be very great, since, by causing large spots on the leaves to rot, they would become worthless for manufacturing purposes. The question of the possible spread of the disease is one of importance, for it would be a very serious thing if it were to reach the great tobacco-growing regions of States like Virginia.
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Biological Notes . Nature 35, 521–522 (1887). https://doi.org/10.1038/035521a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/035521a0