A Hypocrealean Epibiont on Meristems of Baccharis coridifolia

Abstract

In meristem cultures of Baccharis coridifolia, a white slow-growing sterile fungus frequently grows from tissues to cover the explants. Histological studies indicate that this fungus is epibiotic on meristems and grows in the axils of leaf primordia. Through comparison of the 18S rDNA sequence of the epibiont to those available from previously published studies, we were able to determine that the epibiont is a member of the Hypocreales. Colonies of the epibiont, grown on PDA, MEA and V8, were compared with biotrophic fungi in the Clavicipitaceae (Hypocreales).