Three novel species of Cladosporium and Sarocladium isolated from palm trees

Palm trees (Arecaceae) are among the most widely used ornamental plants in southern China. In this study, samples of senescent leaves and petioles from four species of palm plants were collected in Yunnan Province, China, and fungal isolations were performed. Species identification was conducted using a phylogenetic approach based on combined sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU), actin gene (ACT), and translation elongation factor (TEF), together with morphological studies.

As a result, three new species — Cladosporium menglunense, Sarocladium menglaense, and S. yunnanense — are proposed. By providing detailed morphological and molecular data, this study lays a foundation for future research on species diversity and diseases of palm plants.