Phellinus weirii

Taxobox
name = "Phellinus weirii"
regnum = Fungi
phylum = Basidiomycota
classis = Basidiomycetes
subclassis = Incertae sedis
ordo = Hymenochaetales
familia = Hymenochaetaceae
genus = "Phellinus"
species = "P. weirii"
binomial = "Phellinus weirii"
binomial_authority = (Murrill) Gilb., (1974)
synonyms =

"Phellinus weirii" is a plant pathogen causing laminated root rot in certain conifers, typically Douglas-fir and western redcedar.cite web| title=Laminated root rot |author=Natural Ressources Canada |url=http://www.pfc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/pathology/rootd/laminated_e.html |accessdate=2008-10-04] It is widespread in the Douglas Fir Growing regions of British Columbia, Washington and Oregon. [cite web | title = Forest Pathology: Laminated Root Rot | publisher = Canadian Forest Service | url =http://www.pfc.forestry.ca/pathology/rootd/laminated_e.html | accessdate = 2007-07-16 ]

Overview

It is easily recognized when timber is cut because a brown stain will appear on the butt cut. In early stages it will be just a spot in the heart wood, but as the disease advances it will extend most of the way around the heart wood, and in extreme cases may result in a hollow stump. Usually it is not observed more than a few feet above ground level.

Losses due to the fungus are estimated at 4.4 million m³ (157 million ft³) of timber in the Northwestern United States and in British Columbia. [cite web | title = Laminated Root Rot of Western Conifers | publisher = U.S. Department of Agriculture | url = http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/nr/fid/fidls/fidl159.htm | accessdate = 2007-07-16]

Reduced growth rate is an attribute of tree infection. [http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr349/gtr349b.pdf] Particular attention is invited to the growth ring patterns visible in the images attached.

References

External links

* [http://www.speciesfungorum.org/Names/Names.asp Index Fungorum]
* [http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases USDA ARS Fungal Database]