Pseudocercospora piperis associated with leaf spots on Piper aduncum in Brazil

Abstract

Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) is a neotropical plant that has been widely exploited as a medicinal plant in its native range but has recently become an important invasive plant species in Papua New Guinea. A cercosporoid fungus was recently found associated with leaf spots on this plant in the Amazon. The morphology of the fungus is typical of Pseudocercospora piperis, a fungus that has never been recorded on this host species in Brazil. © 2013 Australasian Plant Pathology Society Inc.