Common canker symptoms start as small spots on the bark that gradually expand to girdle the stem. The disease can cause death of the plant.

The tissue within the canker region normally dries out, and numerous fungal conidia may be present. Numerous fruiting bodies of the fungus (pycnidia) can be found inside the cankerous region.

Warm moist propagation conditions are ideal for occurrence and spread of the pathogen. Plants under storage, transit or under stress are highly susceptible to the disease.