A NEW ENDOPHYTIC ASCOMYCETE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MEDICINAL PLANT, ACHYRANTHES BIDENTATA BLUME (AMARANTHACEAE)

Abstract

During a survey of the endophytic fungi associated with the Chinese traditional medicinal plant Achyranthes bidentata Blume (Amaranthaceae), a new fungus was isolated from the stem of this plant. Cultures of this fungus on PDA form grey floccose colony with a reddish-brown reverse and mycelium that develops mostly right-angled branches and form rope-like strands and coils. This endophytic fungus does not form reproductive structures on artificial media but can produce conidiomata on host leaves. Based on morphological and DNA sequence analyses, this fungus is proposed to be a new member of the ascomycete genus, Edenia and the name E. achyranthi is introduced.