Abstract
Dichondra repens (kidneyweed or ponysfoot), family Convolvulaceae, is a perennial plant with persistent leaves and is grown alone or in association with turfgrass in subtropical and Mediterranean regions. Because of its prostrate growth habit, it does not need to be mowed. It is also used as a potted plant for house decoration. During surveys of lawns in public gardens of the Franco-Italian Riviera conducted from 1993 to 2003, we noticed 0.1- to 0.5-cm-diameter, brownish, necrotic spots on leaves of D. repens in Antibes, Cannes, Menton, Nice, and Vallauris (France) and in Arma di Taggia, Diano Marina, Imperia, La Mortola, Ospedaletti, San Remo, and Ventimiglia (Italy). Symptoms were more intense in the spring on young leaves but lesions remained all year on older leaves. Two species of fungal pathogens were frequently isolated from these spots. One fungus produced brown, erect conidiophores with brown, pear-shaped conidia and bifid, subhyaline beaks. Conidia formed singly, were composed of 8 to 10 cells with transverse and longitudinal crosswalls, and had one to four hyaline spurs frequently longer than the conidia. Conidia measured 90 to 260 × 16 to 29 μm. The pathogen, identified as Alternaria dichondrae (1), was previously c...Continue Reading