A common, cosmopolitan genus consisting of many species, Alternaria is often found in our outdoor air samples. Most species are saprobic and plant-pathogenic attacking fruits and vegetables alike.  It has been responsible for black rot of oranges, stem end rot of lemons, and contamination of sorghum beer. 

   

On common laboratory media colonies can be grey to olivaceous and powdery or wooly, though natural growth characteristics can vary. 

 

Alternaria has been used as a mycoherbicide, though certain species produce the most poisonous mycotoxin, tenuazonic acid, which has been known to retard cattle growth in South Africa.  In humans, this genus has caused skin infections after trauma, subcutaneous phaeohyphomycoses, and onychomycoses.  It commonly infects immuno-compromised individuals.

 

   

 

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