Southern blight is caused by a fungus that attacks roots and stems of cowpeas.

The first visible symptom of southern blight is a progressive, yellowing and wilting of the foliage beginning on the lower leaves.

The plant dies within a few days.

A brownish vascular discoloration inside dead stem may extend several inches above the soil line.

During warm, moist conditions, the coarse, white mycelium of the fungus makes characteristic fan-shaped patterns of growth on the stem at the soil line.

In this white-mat of the fungus, numerous smooth, round, light-tan to dark-brown mustard seed-like bodies called sclerotia are formed.