Erwinia chrysantum

Taxobox
color = lightgrey
name = "Erwinia chrysanthemi"
regnum = Bacteria
phylum = Proteobacteria
classis = Gamma Proteobacteria
ordo = Enterobacteriales
familia = Enterobacteriaceae
genus = "Erwinia"
species = "E. chrysanthemi"
binomial = "Erwinia chrysanthemi"
binomial_authority = Burkholder "et al." 1953

"Erwinia chrysanthemi" is a gram-negative bacillus that belongs to the family "Enterobacteriaceae". It is a close relative of "E. coli" and other animal pathogens that include "Salmonella", "Shigella", "Klebsiella", "Proteus" and "Yersinia". Members of this family are facultative anaerobes, able to ferment sugars to lactic acid, have nitrate reductase, but lack oxidases. Even though many clinical pathogens are part of the "Enterobacteriaceae" family, most members of this family are plant pathogens.

In the natural plant environment, "Erwinias" cause plant maladies such as necrosis, blight and “soft rot,” a progressive tissue maceration. "Erwinia chrysanthemi" contains many pectinases that are able to macerate and break down the plant cell wall material. This exposed part of the plant releases nutrients that can facilitate bacterial growth. Commonly infected plants include potato tubers, bulbs of vegetables, and ornamental crops.