Occurrence and significance of fungi inhabiting galls caused by Peridermium harknessii

Abstract

Many fungi were associated with Peridermium harknessii galls on pines growing on or near the California coast. Included were saprophytes in dead gall tissues, mycoparasites on rust aeciospores, and secondary fungus parasites of rusted tissues. Gibberella lateritium, Nectria fuckeliana, and Diplodia pinea were secondary fungi that sometimes partially or completely killed the galls. Information regarding the identification, genetics, infection courts, and distribution of these fungi is given.