Fusarium hostae sp nov., a relative of F-redolens with a Gibberella teleomorph

Fusarium hostae sp. nov. causes Fusarium root and crown rot of container-grown hosta plants. Morphology, pathogenicity and molecular analyses based on sequences from portions of beta-tubulin and translation elongation factor 1-alpha genes indicate that this species is closely related to but distinct froth F. redolens Wollenw. Fusarium hostae can be distinguished from F. redolens by the production of polyphialides, by slower growth rates at 25 C and 30 C on potato dextrose agar, by a greater level of pathogenicity on hosta, and by analysis of DNA sequences. One isolate of F. hostae was found to produce a homothallic Gibberella teleomorph that was maintained by single-ascospore transfer. Fusarium hostae fortes a strongly supported clade with F. redolens that is distinct froth the Gibberella fujikuroi, F. solani and F. oxysporum species complexes.