Ilyonectria destructans

N. radicicola is currently distributed evenly alongside its primary substrates American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and Korean ginseng, Panax ginseng. It occurs throughout North America and continental Asia, primarily Korea and China. It can alternate between growing with a host or remaining dormant as chlamydospores for years at a time if none is present. Because the spores are able to effectively overwinter in plant debris and soil, N. radicicola is not limited by seasonally colder climate conditions.

N. radicicola is a species complex of organisms which target the roots of various species of ginseng, grapevines, and some young trees as their primary substrate. The primary vector of infection are the chlamydospores which might survive for years in the soil before detecting and subsequently infecting a new host organism. Upon infecting the host organism hyphae begin to grow inter and intracellularly which subsequently causes the plant tissues to begin to rot. More chlamydospores will form once the hyphae reach the surface of the host tissue where micro and macronidia will sprout and release the spores.