 The
plant disease known as sudden oak death (SOD) first appeared
in California in 1995. This disease is caused by a fungus-like
pathogen Phytophthora ramorum and attacks at least 37
different plants species, including numerous kinds of
trees and shrubs, and container grown nursery crops. Since
1995 SOD has been found in Oregon, Washington, and British
Columbia.
In mid-March 2004, USDA notified the PA Department of
Agriculture (PDA) that camellias potentially infected
with the SOD pathogen might have been shipped to many
Eastern U.S. states (including PA) from Monrovia, a large
wholesale nursery stock producer in Azusa, CA. PDA plant
inspectors are currently visiting PA sites that might
have received shipments from Monrovia. Suspect plants
will be placed under “stop-sale.” Any symptomatic
plants will be inspected and sampled for analysis at the
Plant Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, PDA.
aaaaaafrom
PA Dept. of Agriculture |
