verticillium Bot.
(vɜːtɪˈsɪlɪəm)
[mod.L. (C. G. Nees von Esenbeck Das System der Pilze und Schwämme (1816) 56), f. verticillus + -ium.]
A hyphomycete fungus of the genus of this name, some species of which cause plant disease; verticillium wilt, wilt caused by this fungus, affecting many flowers, vegetables, and fruit bushes.
| 1916 Sci. Proc. R. Dublin Soc. XV. 63 (heading) The Verticillium wilt of the potato. 1931, etc. [see hadromycosis s.v. hadrome]. 1951 Sci. News XXI. 110 Verticillium wilt of hops..has been a serious disease in Great Britain since 1932. 1971 Country Life 18 Feb. 381/1 So serious have they [sc. chrysanthemum diseases] become (two caused by viruses and one by a verticillium, in particular) that the future popularity of this florist's flower is said to be in danger. 1978 Sci. Amer. Aug. 68/3 In California..plantings [of tomato] are mainly limited to cultivators that resist the wilt caused by fusarium and verticillium fungi. |