320 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. VIII, No. 9 
Clinton, 1 2 in 1903, reported the occurrence of the disease in Connecticut, 
and included photographic illustrations of the fungus on squash flowers. 
This species has also been noted in Brazil on the petals of a species of 
Hibiscus and on certain other plants, whence it was described by Moller 3 
as Choanephora americana. 
Numerous collections have been made during the past summer in the 
vicinity of West Raleigh, N.C., and in two other localities within the 
State,—Winston-Salem and Walnut Cove. Since these points are rather 
widely separated, it is believed that Choanephora cucurbitarum is generally 
present throughout the State. From reports received, unaccompanied, 
however, by specimens, there seems to be no doubt that the disease was 
present during the past season in other Southern States. 
HOSTS OF THE FUNGUS 
During the past summer the disease was found on several varieties 
of Cucurbita pepo , being most destructive on the “pattypan” types of 
summer squashes, commonly known as cymlings. The fungus has also 
been found on the fading flowers of cucumber {Cucumis sativus) althea 
{Hibiscus syriacus) , scarlet hibiscus {Hibiscus coccineus ), okra {Hibiscus 
esculentus ), and cotton {Gossypium herbaceum). It appears to be para¬ 
sitic, however, only upon the squash. Previous investigations, as has 
been indicated, reported the occurrence of C. cucurbitarum on squashes, 
Hibiscus spp., a wild mallow, and certain other plants. 
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE 
The disease is probably not the cause of appreciable damage to squashes 
annually, but appears in epidemic form only under certain meteoro¬ 
logical conditions. Conditions of high humidity and excessive rainfall 
were generally prevalent in the Southern States during the past summer, 
and are believed to be correlated with epidemics of the squash disease. 
At no time during the four preceding summers has the disease been 
sufficiently destructive to attract the writer’s attention. 
Since squashes are not a crop of any considerable financial importance 
to the market gardener in North Carolina, it is especially difficult to 
obtain figures on the loss due to this disease. The crop is very generally 
grown in home gardens, and even though a considerable proportion of 
the fruits decay, an ample crop for home use remains. All of the 
flowers have been observed to be blighted and all of the fruits destroyed 
on certain vines. Thaxter, 3 in discussing the injury by C. cucurbitarum , 
says: “It is undoubtedly often responsible for the destruction of no 
inconsiderable percentage of the crop.” Clinton 4 states that “it no 
doubt often blasts the blossoms and may rot the fruit, also.” 
1 Clinton, G. P. Report of the botanist. Diseases of plants cultivated in Connecticut. In Conn. Agr. 
Exp. Sta. 27th Ann. Rept., [19021/3, p. 359, pi. 26. 1904. 
2 Moller, Alfred. Phycomyceten und Ascomyceten. p. 18, pi. 1, fig. 1-4. Jena, 1901. (Schimper, 
A. E. W. Botanische Mittheilungen aus den Tropen. Heft 9.) 
8 Thaxter, Roland. Op. cit. 
* Clinton, G. P. Loc. cit. 
