The taxonomy of Armillaria in southern South America has received little attention since the work of Singer and others. In this study we examine the morphological traits and cultural features for taxa representing the lineages revealed based on molecular phylogeny, and we link them to previously described taxa based on morphology. Lineages I–IV were identified as Armillaria novaezelandiae, A. montagnei, A. umbrinobrunnea comb. nov. and A. sparrei respectively. They could be differentiated morphologically based on dimension, features of the epicutis, annulus, stipe, hymenophoral trama and flavor and characteristics in culture. Furthermore there was no evidence of host preference for the species recognized. This is the first study integrating the phylogeny and morphology of Armillaria species from Patagonia, and it provides a foundation for future research on these fungi in South America.

Cherries and raspberries are important fruit crops in Patagonia, Argentina. A high proportion (50%) of raspberry production is organic certified and sold for fresh and frozen domestic markets. Due to post-harvest rot diseases, cherries and raspberries from Patagonia are kept in cold storage for a short period of time. During the storage season of 2012–2013, fruit rot samples were obtained from conventional and organic sweet cherry and raspberry orchards in the Andean zone of Central Patagonia. Penicillium crustosum and Mucor piriformis were isolated from both types of production systems and identified through morphological and molecular analysis; their pathogenicity was confirmed based on their virulence (incidence and severity). To our knowledge, this is the first report confirming Penicillium crustosum and Mucor piriformis causing post-harvest disease on cherries and raspberries in Argentina, and it contributes to expanding the knowledge on emerging pathogens.