When samples are freshly prepared from culture the spores are pale green, although this fades with age. Spores from this group are found almost all year round. There are a number of very similar, related species which are usually grouped together as Alternaria. Alternaria is commonly found in samples taken in England. The spores of Alternaria are multi-celled.
Spores are multi-septate, both transverse and longitudinally.
Alternaria which is both ubiquitous and abundant is both saprophytic and parasitic on plant material and is found on rotting vegetation as well as in damp indoor areas, such as bathrooms. Periconia Is both parasitic or saprophytic on plant material. Curvularia Is a silver-grey to light brown mould. The spores are marked by two to four transverse septa and usually spores have one central cell larger than the others. The septa which separate this cell are usually very distinct.