Foliicolous and caulicolous fungi associated with Proteaceae cultivated inCalifornia

Proteaceae, cultivated in California for the cut-flower industry, were asse ssed for the occurrence of leaf and stem pathogens. Although fields and nur series were relatively disease free, several unrecorded pathogens were coll ected. The most important of these are Coleroa senniana, Botryosphaeria dot hidea and Elsinoe leucospermi, which can cause significant losses for produ cers in California, and also Batcheloromyces leucospermi, Botryosphaeria pr oteae and Coniothyrium leucospermi, which are generally regarded to be of l esser economic importance. New species described include Camarosporium sp., Coniothyrium septatum, Elsinoe fecunda Mycosphaerella leucospermi, Mycosph aerella sp. and Stigmina californiae. Didymosphaeria futilis was recorded f or the first time associated with proteaceous hosts. A compilation of all f ungi recorded on proteas cultivated for the cut-flower industry in the U.S. A. (excluding Hawaii) is given. It is suggested that further collections of pathogens should be made at different times of the year, to obtain an over all impression of the status of proteaceous diseases in California.