On dead leaves of Chionochloa sp. Fiordland, Secretary Island, 29.X1 1981, C. F. Butcher (PDD 41807) [Holotype].

Colonies amphigenous, but mainly on the adaxial leaf surface. Mycelium partly immersed and partly superficial, pale, branched, smooth, septate, 1.5-2 µm thick. Stroma absent. Conidiophores reduced to phialides, borne directly on the hyphae, macronematous, mononematous, single, unbranched, erect, straight, smooth, aseptate, brown up to 140 µm long. Conidiogenous cells phialidic, lageniform or ampulliform; venter ellipsoidal (13-)14-17 (-25) x (13-)15-21 µm; collarette cylindrical 65-115 x (5-)6(-6.5) µm; transition from venter to collarette abrupt; ratio of mean lengths of collarette and venter =6.1:1. Conidia endogenous, extruded singly or in short chains, cylindrical, apex rounded, base truncate with a marginal frill, hyaline, smooth, non-septate, (13-)14-17(-24) x 3.5-4.5 µm; mean conidium length/width ratio = 3.9:1.

Coloniae amphigenae, plerumque adaxiales. Mycelium partim intermum et extermum, ex hyphis pallidis, ramosis, laevibus, septatis, 1.5-2 µm crassis. Stroma nullum. Conidiophora ad phialides reducta, ex hyphis oriunda, macronematosa, mononematosa, singula, eramosa, erects, recta, laevia, eseptata, brunnea, usque ad 140 µm longa. Cellulae conidiogenae phialidicae, lageniformes vel ampulliformes, venterellipsoideus (13-)14-17 (-25) x (13-) 15-21 µm; collum cylindricum 65-115 x (5-) 6 (-6.5) µm; transitio e ventre ad collum abrupta; ratio longitudinis mediae colli et ventris = 6.1:1. Conidia endogena, singulariter vel catenulate extrusa, cylindrica, hyalina, laevia, eseptata, (13-)14-17(-24) x 3.5-4.5 µm, apice rotundato, basi truncata, fimbriam marginalem ferente; ratio conidii long/lat. = 3.9:1. In foliis mortuis graminis Chionochloa sp. Holotypus PDD 41807.

In New Zealand, Chalara is well represented, with approx. 30 species known, many of which were described from New Zealand collections (Nag Raj & Hughes 1974, Nag Raj & Kendrick 1975). Most species are saprophytic on decayed wood or on dead leaves, but some are the cause of plant diseases including wilts, rots, and decays.
Chalara graminicola is distinct from any known species of Chalara. The collarette is extremely long in relation to the length of the venter; only C. curvata Nag Raj & Kendrick with a ratio of 5.3:1 (Nag Raj & Kendrick 1975) approaches C. graminicola.

On dead leaves of Chionochloa rigida (Raoul) Zotov McKKenzie, Glentanner Station, 6.XII.1978, E.H.C. McKenzie & G.C.M. Latch (PDD 40909) [Holotype].
On dead leaves of Chionochloa rubra Zotov Taupo, Desert Road, 2.X11.1980, E.H.C. McKenzie & G.C.M. Latch (PDD 40900). MacKenzie, Takapo, 7.XII.1978, E.H.C. McKenzie & G.C.M. Latch (PDD 40913).
On dead leaves of Chionochloa sp. Fiordland, Secretary Island, 29.X1.1981, C.F. Butcher (PDD 41808).

Colonies on the adaxial leaf surface. Mycelium superficial, pale, branched and anastomosing, smooth to verruculose, septate, 1.5-4 µm thick; hyphae below conidiophores thicker 4-7 µm and brown or dark brown. Stroma absent. Conidiophores arising terminally and laterally on the hyphae or from swollen cells, macronematous, single, composed of a mononematous stipe and a complex head of branches bearing conidia. Stipes erect, flexuous, smooth, septate, brown or dark brown, up to 600 µm long x 7-12 µm thick. Primary branches sometimes bearing branchlets, dark brown or brown, flexuous, up to 150 µm long x 5.5-8 µm thick but usually shorter and thicker c. 25-30 x 7-8 µm. Conidiogenous cells polyblastic, integrated, usually terminal on stipe and branches, sympodial, conidial scars slightly prominent c. 1 µm wide. Conidia usually solitary, occasionally in branched chains, acropleurogenous, ellipsoidal, limoniform or subglobose, pale or very pale brown, smooth or verruculose, non-septate, (5.5-)6.5-10(-14) x (4-)5-6.5(-7) µm.

Coloniae adaxiales. Mycelium ex hyphis superficialibus, pallidis, ramosis et anastomosantibus, laevibus vel verruculosis, septatis, 1.5-4 µm crassis; hyphae sub conidiophoris ad 4-7 µm inflatae, brunneae vel atrobrunneae. Stroma nullum. Conidiophora ex apice lateribusque hypharum oriunda vel e cellulis inflatis, macronematosa, mononematosa, singula. Stipites erecti, flexuosi, laeves, septati, brunnei vel atro-brunnei, usque ad 600 µm longi x 7-12 µm crassi. Rami primarii interdum ramulosi, atro-brunnei vel brunnei, flexuosi, usque ad 150lrm longi x 5.5-8 µm crassi, plerumque c. 25-30 x 7-8 µm. Cellulae condiogenae polyblasticae, in conidiophoris incorporatae, plerumque terminales, sympodiales, cicatrices conidiales c. 1 µm latae. Conidia plerumque solitaria, interdum catenulate ramosa, acropleurogena, ellipsoids, limoniforme vel subglobosa, pallide vel pallide brunnea, laevia vel verruculosa, eseptata, (5.5-)6.5-10(-14) x (4-)5-6.5(-7) µm. In foliis mortuis graminis Chionochloa rigida (Raoul) Zotov, C. rubra Zotov, et Chionochloa sp. Holotypus PDD 40909.

Many Periconiella species have been described on leaves of various plants, often pathogenic or hyperparasitic on other fungi (Ellis 1967, Laundon 1971). Three species have been described from New Zealand; P. phormi M.B. Ellis (1967), P. araliacearum G. Laundon, and P. coprosmae G. Laundon (1971). P. liberatas is distinct from any known species of Periconiella. The conidiophores of P. liberatas nearly all originate from within the deep grooves which are characteristic of the adaxial leaf surface of Chionochloa species, and most of the mycelium is confined to the grooves. The specific epithet `liberatas' refers to the conidiophores coming free of the deep leaf grooves.

On dead leaves, sheaths, and stems of Chionochloa ?rubra Zotov Taupo, Desert Road, 24.IV.1976, E.H.C. McKenzie (PDD 34808) [Holotype].
On dead leaves of Chionochloa sp. Fiordland, Secretary Island, 29.XI.1981, C. F. Butcher (PDD 41809).

Colonies amphigenous and on stems. Mycelium partly immersed and partly superficial, pale straw coloured, branched, smooth, septate, 2.5-3.5 µm thick. Stroma absent. Conidiophores arising of terminally and laterally on the hyphae, macronematous, mononematous, single, unbranched, erect, straight or curved, smooth, septate, brown up to 250 µm long x 4.5-6(-6.5) µm thick, often thinnest just above the base. Conidiogenous cells polytretic, integrated, terminal and intercalary, determinate, cylindrical, with (1-)6-8 pores often in a band around the middle of each cell; usually each cell of conidiophore except basal cell and sometimes the lowermost 1 or 2 cells are conidiogenous. Conidia solitary, acropleurogenous, globose, pale or very pale brown, smooth, non-septate, (4.5-)6-7(-7.5) µm.

Coloniae amphigenae et in culmo. Mycelium partim intermum et extermum, ex hyphis stramineis, ramosis, laevibus, septatis, 2.5-3.5 µm crassis. Stroma nullum. Conidiophora apicalia et lateralia, macronematosa, mononematosa, singula, eramosa, erecta, recta vel curvata, laevia, septata, brunnea, usque ad 250 µm longa x 4.5-6(-6.5) µm crassa. Cellulae conidiogenae polytreticae, in conidiophoris incorporatae, terminales et intercalares, determinatae, cylindrica, (1-)6-8 poris subequatorialibus. Conidia solitaria, acropleurogena, globosa, pallide vel pallidissime brunnea, laevia, aseptata, (4.5-)6-7(-7.5) µm. In foliis mortuis et culmo graminis Chionochloa ?rubra Zotov Holotypus PDD 34808.

Spadicoides is predominantly a lignicolous genus (Ellis 1963, Wang 1976), although some recently described species have been recorded on dead leaves (Ellis 1976, Sutton & Hodges 1978). Two species, S. atra (Cords) Hughes and S. obovata (Cooke & Ellis) Hughes, were previously known from New Zealand (Hughes 1978). S. sphaerospermum is readily distinguished from S. atra, the only other species with non-septate conidia. The conidia of S. sphaerospermum are globose and pale-coloured, whereas those of S. atra are oval or ellipsoidal and pale or dark brown. S. atra grows on dead wood and bark.

On living leaves of Gahnia setifolia (A. Rich.) Hook. f. Auckland, Auckland Domain, 25.VII.1978, W.S.M. Versluys & P.R. Johnston (PDD 38462); Auckland Domain, 28.IX.1978, W.S.M. Versluys & E.H.C. McKenzie (PDD 38658) [Holotype]; same details (PDD 38656); Auckland Domain, 12.X.1978, E.H.C. McKenzie (PDD 40910); Northcote, Kauri Glen Park, June 1978, W.S.M. Versluys (PDD 38657).

Colonies on the adaxial leaf surface. Mycelium mostly superficial, pale straw coloured, branched, minutely verruculose, septate, 1.5-2.5 µm thick. Stroma absent. Conidiophores originating from brown, smooth, sometimes swollen cells 10-30 µm wide, macronematous, mononematous, mostly single, usually unbranched, erect, straight or flexuous, occasionally with 1 or 2 geniculations, smooth, septate, brown, paler towards the apex, up to 150 µm long x 3-4.5 µm thick. Conidiogenous cells polyblastic, integrated, terminal becoming intercalary, sympodial, conidial scars thickened and slightly prominent 2-3 µm wide. Conidia solitary, substraight, cylindrical or narrowly obclavate, apex rounded, base obconically truncate, straw coloured, minutely verruculose, indistinctly septate with up to 30 septa, 20-300 µm long x 3-5 µm wide in the broadest part; hilum 2-3 µm thick.

Coloniae adaxiales. Mycelium ex hyphis plerumque superficialibus, stramineis, ramosis, minute verruculosis, septatis, 1.5-2.5 µm crassis. Stroma nullum. Condiophora e cellulis fuscis, laevibus, basi interdum ad 10-30 µm inflata, macronematosa, mononematosa, plerumque singula, saepe eramosa, erecta, recta vel flexuosa, interdum apice geniculata, laevia, septata, brunnea, apicem versus pallidiora, usque ad 150 µm longa x 3-4.5 µm crassa. Cellulae conidiogenae polyblasticae, in conidiophoris incorporatae, terminales et intercalares, sympodiales, cicatrices conidiales 2-3 µm latae. Conidia solitaria, subrecta, cylindrica vel obclavato-cylindrica, straminea, minute verruculosa, usque ad 30 indistincte septata, 200-300 µm longa x 3-5 µm lata, cellula apicali rotundata, cellula basali truncata; hilo 2-3 µm lato. In foliis cyperaceae speciei Gahnia setifolia (A. Rich.) Hook. f. Holotypus PDD 38658.

Stenella gahniae is associated with a leaf spot of Gahnia setifolia. Leaf spots (Fig. 5) are at first an indefinite yellow-orange discolouration, sometimes with a minute reddish-brown centre. Later, a general yellow-orange discolouration containing many minute reddish-brown areas develops, giving the leaf a rusted appearance. Discoloured areas sometimes cover the width of the leaf, and can be up to approx. 40 mm long. Discolouration is most distinct on the abaxial leaf surface.
The genus Stenella was erected by Sydow (1930). The type species, S. araguata H. Syd. was redescribed and illustrated by Ellis (1971), and most of the known species were figured and redescribed by Ellis (1976). Stenella species are usually associated with indistinct leaf blotches on dicotyledonous hosts; only S. caryotae Liu & Liao on the palm, Caryota mitis Lour., has been recorded on a monocotyledon. An interesting feature of Stenella is the verruculose hyphae, growing externally on leaves. The genus is also distinguished by the usually rough-walled, normally catenulate, 'Cercospora- like' conidia, and the thickened but flat conidial scars.

On living leaves of Scleria polycarpa Boeck. Solomon Islands, Kolombangara, 12. VIL 1980, E. H. C. McKenzie (PDD 40911) [Holotype].

Colonies amphigenous, but mainly on the adaxial leaf surface. Mycelium mostly superficial, pale straw coloured, branched, minutely verruculose,septate, 1.5-5 µm thick. Stroma absent. Conidiophores originating from brown, smooth, sometimes swollen cells 5-10 µm wide, macronematous, mononematous, mostly single, usually unbranched, straight or flexuous, occasionally geniculate, usually smooth, septate, brown, paler towards the apex, up to 210 µm long x 2.5-4 (-4.5) µm thick. Conidiogenous cells polyblastic, integrated, terminal becoming intercalary, sympodial, conidial scars thickened and slightly prominent; scar 1-1.5 µm wide. Conidia solitary, straight, curved or flexuous, cylindrical or narrowly obclavate, apex rounded, base obconically truncate, straw coloured, minutely verruculose, indistinctly (0-)1-3 septate, 20-50 (-70) µm long x 2.5-3.5(-4) µm wide in the broadest part; hilum 1-1.5 µm wide, lateral scars seen on 1 conidium.

Coloniae amphigenae, plerumque adaxiales. Mycelium ex hyphis plerumque superficialibus, stramineis, ramosis, minute verruculosis, septatis, 1.5-2.5 µm crassis. Stroma nullum. Conidiophora e cellulis fuscis, laevibus, basi interdum ad 5-10 µm inflata, macronematosa, mononematosa, plerumque singula, saepe eramosa, erecta, recta vel flexuosa, interdum apice geniculata, plerumque laevia, septata, brunnea, apicem versus pallidiora, usque ad 210 µm longa x 2.5-4(-4.5) µm crassa. Cellulae conidiogenae polyblasticae, in conidiophoris incorporatae, terminales et intercalares, sympodiales, cicatrices conidiales 1-1.5 µm latae. Conidia solitaria, parum curvata vel flexuosa, cylindrica vel obclarato-cylindrica, straminea, minute verruculosa, (0-)1-3 indistincte septata, 20-50(-70) µm longa x 2.5-3.5(-4) µm lata, cellula apicali rotundata, cellula basali truncata; hilo 1-1.5 µm lato. In foliis cyperaceae speciei Scleria polycarpa Boeck. Holotypus PDD 40911.

Stenella scleriae is associated with an indistinct yellowish discolouration of leaves of Scleria polycarpa.
Stenella gahniae and S. scleriae are distinct from any described species of Stenella, and differ from each other principally in the size of the conidia. The narrower conidia of S. scleriae correspond with the narrower conidial scars on the conidiophores of this species. No catenulate conidia, a feature of Stenella, were seen in either species, although 1 conidium of S. scleriae was observed with a lateral scar. Some other species of Stenella rarely produce catenulate conidia.
A few conidiophores of S. scleriae were verruculose over part of their length. The related genus, Stenellopsis produces solitary conidia and has conidiophores which are sometimes roughened. However, Stenellopsis has immersed mycelium and immersed stromata, compared with the usually abundant superficial mycelium and, where present, the mostly superficial stromata of Stenella.