Stromatinia rapulum (Sclerotiniaceae, Helotiales) new to Japan, occurring from rhizomes of planted Polygonatum falcatum (Asparagaceae)

Abstract

Stromatinia rapulum, a plant pathogen of Polygonatum species, was first reported from Japan in 1913. However, its identification is doubtful because the description has clear morphological differences from the original description of S. rapulum. In addition, the host plant was incorrectly identified as “Polygonum multiflorum”, an orthographical confusion with “Polygonatum multiflorum”. We newly collected ascomata of S. rapulum occurring from the rhizomes of planted Polygonatum falcatum in Hokkaido. This is the first report of S. rapulum from Japan with the correctly identified host plant.