Hay a6 ,1923 
Graminicolous Species of Helminihosporium 
679 
The literature contains, as far as the writer is aware, only two refer¬ 
ences to the occurrence of a species of Helminthosporium on Festuca 
elatior. The earliest is that of Diedicke (29), who recorded his discovery 
of a parasitic form that produced a local infection similar to the type of 
infection brought about by H. bromi, H. teres, and H. avenae. As this 
writer gave no further details concerning either the fungus or the disease, 
it is not possible to determine whether or not he was dealing with the para¬ 
site found widely distributed in the Middle Atlantic States. In a later 
reference by Pammel, King, and Bakke {104), is reported from Iowa 
the occurrence on F. pratensis ( = F. elatior L.) of a species of Helmin¬ 
thosporium having spores similar to those of H. sativum and producing 
on its host a leaf spot closely resembling late blight of barley, although 
less severe. Material deposited by these authors in the Office of Patho¬ 
logical Collections, Bureau of Plant Industry, was examined by the 
writer. This examination revealed no reason why the fungus should 
not be referred to H. sativum. At any rate the Iowa fungus represents 
an entirely different organism from the one under consideration, which 
would appear to merit recognition as a new species. On account of the 
reticulate pattern characteristic of the foliar lesions the specific name 
dictyoides is suggested. 
DIAGNOSIS 
Helminthosporium dictyoides, n. sp. 
Occurring on Festuca elatior L., on which it causes a moderately destructive disease 
of the foliage, with symptoms very similar to those of barley attacked by Helminiho¬ 
sporium teres; newly infected leaves showing irregular brownish areas marked with 
dark longitudinal and transverse streaks forming a delicate reticulate pattern. Af¬ 
fected leaves later withering, the withering beginning at the tip and progressing to 
the base of the blade. 
Sporophores dark brown or olivaceous; emerging singly or in groups of 2 to 6 from 
stomata or between epidermal cells; ineasuring usually 6 to 8 in diameter and 70 to 
150 in length; 3 to 6-septate, the septa generally occurring at intervals of 10 to 30 fi; 
producing first spore usually at a distance of 50 to 100 fx from base; points of attachment 
of successive spores marked by moderately or strongly pronounced geniculations. 
Conidia subhyaline and nearly colorless when newly proliferated, to yellow when 
fully matured; typically straight; maximum diameter usually at basal segment, 14 
to 17 ju; tapering uniformly and very perceptibly to apical segment, the latter in long 
spores frequently not exceeding 8 to 9 m in diameter, in short ones usually of greater 
diameter; more rarely approximately cylindrical, or short ellipsoidal. Length 23 to 
115 Uj usually 50 to 70 i to 7 septate, typically 3 to 5 septate, me septa not associated 
with perceptible constrictions except occasionally, and then constrictions most 
frequently present only at the basal septum; length of segments 7 to 24 fi, typically 12 
to 15 jLi. (intour of basal end hemispherical, of apical end hemispherical or hemi- 
ellipsoidal; peripheral wall or exospore uniformly thin, and entirely including the 
hilum within its contour. Germinating typically by two germ tubes, one from each 
end segment and produced usually at right or oblique angle to axis of spore; rarely 
by one or more germ tubes from intermediate segments. 
Habitat. —Collected at Brooklyn and Port Washington, N. Y.; Stamford, Conn.; 
Norwood, Mass.; Lisbon Falls, Me.; Washington, D. C.; Kensington and Annapolis, 
Md.; and Falls Church, Va. Apparently found wherever the host occurs in the Middle 
Atlantic and New England States. 
HELMINTHOSPORIUM SICCANS, N. SP. 
In the latter part of June, 1922, the writer observed that the Italian 
rye grass, Lolium multiflorum Lam, in the experimental farm at Ajrlington, 
Va., was very generally affected by a leaf spot disease. The trouble 
was found to occur on the foliage of both young and more nearly mature 
plants, being manifested by iffie appearance of minute, longitudinally 
