Colletotrichum siamense causing anthracnose on Etlingera elatior

Torch ginger (Etlingera elatior) is an important ornamental plant widely cultivated in northeastern Brazil. However, the quality of the bracts is frequently compromised by anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum. Because the Colletotrichum species causing torch ginger anthracnose was not known, the present study aimed to identify the Colletotrichum species associated with anthracnose of Etlingera elatior in Brazil and if multiple species were involved. Multilocus phylogenetic analyses including the loci APN2, APN2-MAT/IGS, CAL, GAP2-IGS, GAPDH, GS and TUB2 revealed C. siamense in association with torch ginger anthracnose in Brazil and worldwide.