Peronosclerospora eriochloae sp. nov. and other downy mildews on native grasses in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

A new species of downy mildew, Peronosclerospora eriochloae, found on Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha, is described and illustrated. The morphology and taxonomic status of Peronosclerospora noblei, found only on Sorghum leiocladum in Australia are discussed. Both downy mildews are systemic within their hosts, the asexual and sexual states developing on vegetative tillers which have more nodes and wider leaves than healthy flowering tillers. The morphology of the sexual states of unidentified downy mildews on three other wild grasses, known only from herbarium material, is also given.