Valsaceae

Apiognomonia errabunda on a leaf

The Valsaceae form a family of the order Diaporthales.

Classification

The Valsaceae have long been regarded as a synonym for the Diaportaceae. In fact, they are the sister family (see scheme ) consisting of 3 genera. Cytospora is an anamorphic many Valsa species.

Features

Valsaceae can be found on woody angiosperms in temperate zones worldwide. The fruit bodies ( ascomata ) are well developed Entostromata combined with a central protuberance on a white disk. The stroma is the hyphae, which is perceived as a supposed fruiting bodies, but actually only surrounds the tiny, conical fruit bodies, the ascomata. That is sunk into the host tissue stroma, one speaks of Entostroma.

In leucostoma and Valsella the basal stroma are delineated with a black zone. Leucostoma species have achtsporige asci Valsella contrast vielsporige asci.

Ecology

The Valsaceae are mostly saprophytes on wood, but also pathogens such as Cytospora Cancer on peach. Examples of saprophytic lifestyle are Valsa leucostoma on dead hardwood.

System

Outer systematics

Castlebury et al. (2002) saw in the Diaporthaceae the sister family to the Valsaceae.

Remaining Diaporthales

Valsaceae

Diaporthaceae

Magnaporthaceae

Inside systematics

Within the Valsaceae found Castlebury et al. 3 subgroups: The Basalgruppe to Valsa mali, and two sister groups: species around the Valsa ambiens one hand and leucostoma, Valsella and Valsa cerato cum on the other.

Valsa ambiens Group

Leucostoma

Valsella

Valsa mali

Genera

• Valsa: Large species with anamorphs includes the very large genus Cytospora.
• Valsella
• Leucostoma