Phonetic: Pest-uh-low-shuh

This is a widespread mitosporic fungus with about 220 species. It is primarily a secondary pathogen, and a saprobe on dead and dying tissues and is a weak parasite infecting wounds under moist conditions. It is commonly found in temperate North America and Europe on leaves, stems, vines, twigs, and barks. Pestalotia is the cause of pestalotiopsis tip blight, gray leaf spot, and twig blight on bald cypress trees. It has also been the cause of fruit rot in strawberries and with necrosis of pine needles. The species P. guepini attacks camellias and other ornamentals, and may also cause a serious anthracnose of the tea plant. Culture - Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 20° – 25°C, 7 – 10 days.