I am looking for the author and title of a sci-fi novel set in the near immediate future. It was written in the 1960's, I think.
As in The Blob, a crashing meteorite brings with it an extremely aggressive plant-like infection. The infection slowly spreads in an ever-expanding and indestructible circle, across an American farm. It slowly consumes and converts everything in its path to itself. Attempts to contain the infection are futile.
As the story progresses, a super-powerful acid is developed that slows the plant. This is not be an ideal solution, but it works. Then there are increasing indications the organism(s) is rapidly evolving, and may actually be becoming sentient, or already is. It thus now poses an immediate existential threat to all of Earth. Eventually, as I recall, the brains of dead scientific minds are revived in desperate hopes to find answers.
UPDATE EDIT !!
I commented earlier that User14111 seemed to have nailed it. I read most of the story, and it is indeed "Giants From Eternity." I remember particularly the "final answer" from Marie Curie as it stuck in my mind. I won't spoil the story. In my other comment, which seems to be gone, I mentioned these blue things. I recall the book that I had, which must be the one printed in 1959 and possibly changed, had these flying, likely crafted things, not only appearing on Earth, but also on Jupiter and Mars.
As for Frederik Pohl's comment as "preposterous" - this is rich coming from an established sci-fi writer as himself. As for weak women, given the time the story was written there are still strong females, although admittedly a shade subservient, in the story.
Another interesting take on the story is the lack of government involvement. Most stories written after WWII have the military and government agencies missile deep in such happenings as portrayed.
There are many other observations one could make, including, if the blight had trouble spreading down watercourses, why couldn't they use plain ol' water as a hindrance rather than super-acid.
And finally, this story could easily find a home in the horror genre than sci-fi.