The powdery mildews (Erysiphales) of Britain and Ireland – an identification guide and census catalogue for Wales

Abstract

The powdery mildew fungi form a well circumscribed group of parasitic fungi in the Order Erysiphales within the Phylum Ascomycetes (the "spore shooters"). If the host plant can be accurately identified the task of identifying the powdery mildew is relatively easy. Presented here is a catalogue of host plant species and their powdery mildews which have been reported from Wales or which might occur in Wales, with a synopsis of characters to enable a fungus to be identified where more than one occurs on a particular host.

Over 700 taxa of powdery mildews are known world-wide with over 166 reported from Britain. Catalogued here by the Vice-counties within Wales in which they occur, are over 122 taxa of powdery mildews. Representatives of all five Tribes of the powdery mildews occur in Wales. As many of the wild host plants diminish in extent, the fungi that are dependent on them grow scarcer. The authors hope this guide will stimulate their study and enable conservation priorities to be established.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Paul A. Smith: orcid.org/0000-0001-5337-2746

Catalogue record

Export record