Abstract:
Chlorotic, streak-like symptoms were observed in April 2013 on a single specimen of Albuca
rautanenii (Schinz) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt (Family: Hyacinthaceae) found among other
plants near Homeb in the Namib Desert, Namibia. No potential insect vectors (e.g. aphids)
were observed around and on the infected plant. An extract from symptomatic leaves was
assessed by transmission electron microscopy (leaf dip method) to ascertain if the symptoms
were viral in origin. Long, flexuous threadlike particles 687-825 nm in length and 12.5 nm in
diameter were observed. The morphology and size of the particles were indicative of a
putative member of the taxonomic family Potyviridae.
