Pachysandra Volutella Blight: Symptoms and Cultural Management

Disease Reference Table

Disease	Symptoms	Pathogen/Cause	Management
Volutella Blight	Brown to tan spots on leaves, small at first, enlarge to cover entire leaf. Concentric line patterns in brown spots as leaves yellow and fall. Infected stems dark brown to black, die. Moist conditions: salmon-pink fungal spore masses on dead stems. Large patches killed.	Pseudonectria pachysandricola (Volutella)	Inspect transplants carefully; discard infected material. Avoid heavy shade or areas with prolonged leaf moisture. Established beds: remove diseased plants, thin bed. Remove fallen leaves/debris inhibiting air circulation. Protect from winter injury and deicing salt runoff. Control oystershell and euonymus scales. Fertilize moderately to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Avoid sprinkler irrigation but protect from drought stress. Apply fungicide to protect plants when weather is wet.

Stem infection (photo courtesy M. Masiuk); Leaf infection.

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