Phytophthora quercina

Phytophthora quercina is a papillate homothallic soil-borne plant pathogen causing root rot of oak tree species in Europe. It is associated with necrotic fine roots.

In culture, this species shows a uniform, dome-shaped and cottonwool-like colony growth pattern. It also frequently presents sympodially branched primary hyphae, a high proportion of elongated, ellipsoid or ovoid oogonia, the absence of amphigynous antheridia. Its sporangia vary greatly in size and shape.

Its name derives from Greek Phytophthora φυτόν (phytón), “plant” and φθορά (phthorá), “destruction” and quercina stems from the affected genus, Quercus.