Peronospora
/ˌpɛrə(ʊ)ˈnɒsp(ə)rə/(also Peronosporos) Mycology
noun
A genus of fungal plant pathogens of the order Peronosporales, having sporangia borne on the tips of dichotomously branched sporangiophores and causing highly destructive plant diseases (downy mildews); (also in form peronospora) a fungus of this genus.
- Plasmopara viticola, the cause of downy mildew of grapes, and Phytophthora infestans, the cause of late blight of potatoes, were formerly placed in this genus..
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Jabez Hogg (1817–1899), ophthalmic surgeon. From scientific Latin Peronospora from ancient Greek περόνη + σπόρος.