VANILLA DISEASE 113 



VANILLA DISEASE 



(Calospora vanillae, Massee.) 



Some years ago the vanilla industry in the Seychelles 

 was threatened owing to the attack of a fungus. Material 

 was forwarded to Kew for examination, and the pest 

 proved to be the fungus named above, which occurs on 

 the living leaves and stems as minute dull red or amber- 

 coloured, subtremelloid specks, springing in groups on 

 slightly discoloured patches. This stage of fungus agrees 

 with the form-genus Hamesia. As the diseased parts of 

 the vanilla plant ( Vanilla planifolia Andr.) wither, the 

 Hainesia condition is followed by a Cytispora, and finally 

 by an ascigerous stage. These forms are considered as 

 later developments of the Hainesia, and the whole has 

 been named Calospora vanillae, Massee. 



The same fungus, showing all three stages, has been 

 received at Kew from Antigua, New Granada, attacking 

 the same host-plant. 



Preventive Means. — Clearing away and burning all 

 diseased plants, which were allowed to lie and rot on the 

 ground, has resulted in suppressing the disease, which is 

 most prevalent in low or badly drained districts. 



Massee, Kew Bulletin, May and June, 1892, i pi. 



PINE LEAF FUNGUS 



(Herpotricha nigra, R. Hartig.) 



Abies excelsa, Juniperus communis, and J. nanus are 

 attacked. It is also very destructive to young larches in 

 elevated regions. The chocolate-coloured mycelium of 



H 



