On Cyperaceae: Gahnia species, Australasia: G. grandis (Labill.) S. T. Blake (Australia, Tasmania), G. pauciora T. Kirk (NZ), G. procera J. R. & G. Forst. (NZ), G. setifolia (A. Rich.) Hooker fil. (NZ), G. xanthocarpa (Hooker fd.) Hooker fil. (NZ), and G. sp. (NZ).

Sori (Figs. 1-4) surrounding the pedicels, peduncles and main axes of the inflorescence (sometimes only partly), fusiform, ellipsoidal or globoid, 0.3-1 (-2) ´ 0.5-4 (-7) cm, black or blackish-brown, composed of compact spore masses with powdery surface, traversed by numerous, radially arranged fascicles of fungal filaments ("elaters"), extending beyond the spore masses. Peridium on the surface of young sori was not observed. At maturity, the spore masses break into small pieces composed of agglutinated spore balls. Spore balls (Figs. 5, 6) ellipsoidal or irregular, 20-50 µm long, dark olivaceous- or chestnut-brown, composed of (2-)3-15 (-20 or more?) easily separating spores. Spores (Figs. 5, 6) globose, subglobose, ellipsoidal, pyriform or irregular, (11-) 12-17 x 13-19 µm, olivaceous- to chestnut-brown; wall (1.5-) 2-3 µm thick including the typically cracked (scaly) exospore, sometimes with a short, hyaline papilla at one end. Parasitic hyphae intracellular. Mature septa poreless (Dr. R. Bauer, pers. comm.). Spore formation (Figs. 2-4) at the basal part of the sori in radially arranged sporogenous hyphae. Very young spores are catenulate, fusiform, yellow, thickwalled, smooth. With maturation the spores become larger, ellipsoidal, globose, pigmented, with cracked exospore, agglutinated in balls and often have one or several, slightly flattened sides. Capillitium-like fungal filaments ("elaters") between the spore masses arise from the basal stroma, are 10-50 µm wide, up to 15 µm long, yellowish- to dark olivaceous-brown, composed of numerous, agglutinated, elongated, transversally septate, 1.5-2.5 µm wide hyphae, apparently without cell content. Spore germination (Fig. 7; of freshly collected spores, in water, at room temp., after 5 days) resulted in either septate basidia or in long filaments. The basidia give rise to hyphae or to shorter or longer, fusiform basidiospores which separate easily (Vánky, 1997a:153).

Sori surrounding the pedicels, peduncles and main axes of the inflorescence of Cyperaceae forming black, agglutinated to granular or granular-powdery masses of spore balls intermixed with capillitium-like fascicles of sterile hyphae ("elaters"). Spores in loose spore balls, pigmented. Spores and fascicles of sterile hyphae differentiate from a fungal stroma on the surface of the host tissues. No columellae in the sori. Sterile cells between or within the spore balls are lacking. Spore germination results in either septate basidia or in long filaments. Parasitic hyphae are intracellular. Mature septa are poreless.

Sori pedicellos, pedunculos et axes principales inflorescentiae. Cyperacearum circumdantes, massas agglutinatas usque granulares vel granuari-pulvereas glomerulorum sporarum formantes intermixtas cum fasciculis hypharum sterilium capillifum-formibus ("elaterae"). Sporae in glomerulis laxis, pigmentiferae. Sporae et fasciculi hypharum sterilium e stromate fungali in superficie telarum matricis disposito sese evolventes. Sori sine columellis. Cellulae steriles nullae inter glomerulos et in glomerulis sporarum. Germinatio sporarum cum basidiis septatis vel filaments longis. Hyphae parasiticae intracellulares. Septa matura sine pons.

Typus generis: Farysporium endotrichum (Berkeley) K. Vánky, comb. nov.