Fungal-plant interaction: a pathogenic relationship between sp. nov. and .

The diversity of remains largely unexplored, with little information available due to fungiphobia and the morphological plasticity of the genus. To address this gap, an ongoing study aims to collect and identify species with this genus using nuclear ribosomal DNA regions called the "Internal Transcribed Spacer" (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 = ITS). In this study, a new species, sp. nov., was discovered on the dead tree trunk of the medicinal plant, . The species was identified through a combination of morpho-anatomical characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. This new species was closely related to , and , with a 99% bootstrap value, forming a distinct branch in the phylogenetic tree. Morphologically, can be distinguished by its frill-like appearance on the margin of basidiome. Wilt or basal stem rot, a serious disease of trees caused by species and , is brutally affected by this disease, resulting in substantial losses in health and productivity. This species severely damages through deep mycelial penetration in the upper and basal stems of the host species. Pathogenic observational descriptions of on dead tree trunks showed the exudation of viscous reddish-brown fluid from the basal stem portion, which gradually extended upward. Symptoms of this disease include decay, stem discoloration, leaf drooping, and eventual death, which severely damaged the medicinal tree of .