''Ophiosphaerella'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
fungi
A fungus ( : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, separately from ...
in the family
Phaeosphaeriaceae
The Phaeosphaeriaceae are a family of fungi in the order Pleosporales. Species in the family have a cosmopolitan distribution, and are generally nectrotrophic or saprobic on a wide range of plants.
Genera list
*'' Barria''
*'' Bricookea''
*'' C ...
. The genus was described by Italian-Argentinian botanist and mycologist
Carlos Luigi Spegazzini
Carlo Luigi Spegazzini, in Spanish Carlos Luis Spegazzini (20 April 1858 – 1 July 1926), was an Italian-born Argentinian botanist and mycologist.
On the 1881/1882 expedition led by Giacomo Bove to explore Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, the ...
in 1909.
Several species are
pathogens of
turfgrass, causing darkly pigmented
hypha
A hypha (; ) is a long, branching, filamentous structure of a fungus, oomycete, or actinobacterium. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium.
Structure
A hypha consists of one or ...
e on roots known as "dead spot". ''
Ophiosphaerella korrae'', ''
O. narmari'', and ''
O. herpotricha'' affect
bermudagrass
''Cynodon dactylon'', commonly known as Bermuda grass, is a grass found worldwide. It is native to Europe, Africa, Australia and much of Asia. It has been introduced to the Americas. Although it is not native to Bermuda, it is an abundant invasiv ...
(''Cynodon'' species), while the latter fungus also causes dead spot in
buffalo grass
Buffalo grass may refer to
* Buffalo grass, sweet vernal grass or vanilla grass (''Anthoxanthum odoratum'')
* Buffalo grass (''Bouteloua dactyloides'')
* Buffalo grass (''Brachiaria mutica'')
* Buffalo grass or sweet grass (''Hierochloe odorata'')
...
(''Bouteloua dactyloides''). ''
Ophiosphaerella korrae'' is a cause of necrotic ring spot in
creeping red fescue (''Festuca rubra'').
References
Dothideomycetes genera
Phaeosphaeriaceae
{{Pleosporales stub