Leptosphaeria sp

Ascomycetes. Anamorph (asexual state): Coniothyrium, Diplodina, Phoma, Scolecosporella, Septoria, Stagonospora, others.

Leptosphaeria species are common, and are closely related to other ascomycetes such as Venturia and Pleospora. Grows saprophytically and also as a plant pathogen. Leptosphaeria senegalensis and L. thompkinsii are two of the agents of human mycetoma in Africa. No information is available regarding other inhalation health effects or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. Leptosphaeria will grow in the laboratory but needs specialized media. May be identified on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples, and in air by spore trap samples. (Spores have distinctive morphology.) However, our laboratory does not count this organism separately from other ascomycetes (all are placed into the category "Ascospores"). Natural habitat includes leaves and culms of a great many grasses, dead herbaceous stems, and driftwood.