Originally named Plectosphaera banksiae by Harry Swart,[1] it was placed in the genus Phyllachora in 2001.

[2] The type collection was made from a Banksia integrifolia plant in Lake Tyers, Victoria (Australia) in May, 1986.

Infection is characterised by leaf spots that have a greyish central area spotted with black ostioles (pores) through which spores are expelled.

The mycelium of the fungus grows in the double-layered epidermis of the leaf of the host plant, and penetrates the mesophyll tissue in the center of the colony.

Ascospores are hyaline (translucent), and measure 20–25 by 10 μm.