Canavirgella banfieldii gen. and sp.nov. A needlecast fungus on pine

Canavirgella banfieldii gen. and sp.nov. (Ascomycetes: Rhytismatales) is a previously undescribed needlecast fungus attacking Pinus strobus throughout the eastern U.S.A. from North Carolina to Maine. Pinus peuce was severely infected in northern Vermont. Hysterothecia average 3.2 cm long and are epiphyllous, subhypodermal, and dematiaceous, with clavate asci bearing short rod-shaped ascospores. Pycnidia are epiphyllous, subhypodermal, concolorous, blisterlike with one or more pores, and produce minute bacillar conidia. These characteristics separate this fungus from existing genera as presently defined.