Phytophthora austrocedrae

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Questions and answers
1. What is Phytophthora austrocedrae?
P. austrocedrae is a species of Phytophthora that was only recently ‘described’ (in 2007), although it is thought to have been present in Argentina and Chile for at least 50 years. It is a fungus-like plant pathogen that causes an often fatal disease of its host plant. The name 'austrocedrae' originates from Austrocedrus, the genus of conifer trees first recorded as a host (plant capable of being infected) of this pathogen in Argentina.

2. Why is it causing concern?
The recent discovery of the pathogen is a concern because of the often fatal nature of infection of the host plant, and because the recent findings of P. austrocedrae in the UK are the first confirmed findings of this pathogen in the UK.

3. What plant species are at risk?
The natural host of P. austrocedrae in South America is the Chilean cedar (Austrocedrus chilensis). In the UK, Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana), Nootka cypress (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) and the common juniper (Juniperus communis) have now been confirmed as hosts.

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