The fungus was consistently isolated from infected leaves on potato dextrose agar (PDA). The beak was 20.0 to 62.2 (average 33.7) μm in length, with 0 to 6 (average 3) transverse septa and no longitudinal septa. Conidia showed 8 to 15 (average 12) transverse and 4 to 14 (average 11) longitudinal septa, with slight constrictions connected with septa, and were 78.3 to 177.7 (average 135.5) × 19.0 to 34.3 (average 26.5) μm. The conidia observed on infected leaves were olivaceous brown and obclavate, with a beak. Lesions were circular to irregular with a dark purple halo, with infected leaves eventually turning chlorotic. The first symptoms were usually pale brown lesions 1 to 5 mm in diameter and sometimes coalesced. The disease affected 90% of 1- to 2-year-old plants.
During the summers of 20, extensive necrosis were observed on leaves of plants grown in private gardens, near Biella (northern Italy). Saponaria officinalis (Vize) Simmons (common name bouncingbet) is a low maintenance perennial plant belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family, typically grown in parks and gardens.
