Fusicladium

/ˌfjuːsɪˈkleɪdiəm/ noun

Definition

A genus of fungi that causes diseases on plants, particularly affecting fruit trees like apple and pear trees.

Etymology

From Latin fusus (spindle) and cladium (branch). The name describes the fungus's spindle-shaped spores and branching structure when viewed under a microscope.

Kelly Says

Fusicladium is the fungus behind sooty blotch on apples—it looks ugly but doesn't hurt the fruit inside, yet it costs farmers millions in lost sales because consumers don't buy 'dirty' apples.

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