Abstract A description is provided for Gibberella zeae . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: Wheat, maize, barley, carnations and other ornamentals; also reported infecting Lycopersicon, Pisum, Trifolium and Solanum DISEASE: Seedling blight, pre-emergence and post-emergence blight, root and foot rot, brown rot, culm decay, head or kernel blight (scab or ear scab) of wheat, maize, barley and other cereals. Leaf and flower rot of carnations and other ornamentals. Also reported infecting species of Lycopersicon, Pisum, Trifolium and Solanum . GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Worldwide on maize and rice in the tropics. Wheat, oats, barley and rye in temperate regions. TRANSMISSION: By planting infected or infested seeds or by planting in infested soil. Secondary infection occurs widely by water droplets under moist conditions or by ascospore discharge.