SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NORTHLAND: Bay of Islands Country, S of Kaitaia, Puketi State Forest, track along Waipapa River at picnic area, on standing dead tree and sawdust-like debris, Samuels (81-142) & Horak, 13 May 1981 (PDD 41973); second collection, Samuels (82-123) & Johnston, 16 Apr. 1982 (PDD 43195).

Stromata consisting of a 1.5-2 cm diam. rosette of ± subglobose to conical to irregularly shaped fertile portions, each fertile portion 10-15 mm diam.; the entire rosette with a 4-5 cm long, narrowed rooting stipe immersed in wood and perpendicular to the surface of the decaying log; stipe not evident outside the wood. Mature stromata dark brown to black; surface wrinkled, tuberculate with discoid ostiola, perithecia completely immersed. Fertile portions and stipe with inconspicuous tomentum. Internal tissue of stroma solid, white. Asci 250-260 µm total length x 7.5-10 µm, sporiferous portion (125-)144-180 µm, cylindrical, apical ring J+, urn-shaped to cylindrical, (4.0-)4.5-6.0 µm wide x 5-8(-10) µm high; 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (20-)22-27(-29) x (6-)7-9(-10) µm, inequilateral with one side slightly concave to plane and the other side round; elliptic in top view, ends pointed to papillate, transparent brown; slit diagonal, 8-9(-10) µm long.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Northland.

HABITAT: Known only from a single standing decorticated, dicotyledonous, dead tree.

NOTES: Ascospores from neither of the cited collections germinated on CMD at 20°C. We have not seen an anamorph associated with mature stromata.
Xylaria anisopleura was originally described on material from French Guiana. Specimens referable to this species have been seen from various sub-tropical and tropical areas of the world. This species is represented from New Zealand by two collections. They differ from most collections in having rooting stipes. The stipes were embedded in sawdust-like debris which had originated from the activities of insect larvae in the tree host.
Xylaria anisopleura is related to X. polymorpha (Pers.:Fr.) Grev., differing in the smaller size and moriform shape of stromata and the short, oblique to somewhat spiralling ascospore germ slit. Type material [Cayenne, Leprieur 438 (K) (as Hypoxylon anisopleura Mont.] has ascospores 27-34 x 8-10 µm, somewhat longer than those of our material.

SELECTED SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NORTHLAND: Hokianga County, vic. Mangamuka Bridge, Omahuta State Forest, forest H. Q., on indet. wood, Samuels (82-49) & Johnston, 14 Apr. 1982 (PDD 44286); Omahuta State Forest, walk along small lake on road to kauri sanctuary, on indet. wood, Samuels (83-525) & Petersen, 8 May 1983 (PDD 45349); Omahuta State Forest, kauri sanctuary, on wood, Samuels (81-112) & Horak, 10 May 1981 (PDD 41968); Hokianga County, Waipoua State Forest, Kauri Ricker Track, on Beilschmiedia tawa, Samuels (82-105) et al., 31 May 1982 (PDD 44322); Hokianga County, Trounson Kauri Park, on bark and wood of fallen Carpodetus serratus J.R. & G. Forst., Cunningham, 26 Jul. 1947 (PDD 45389). AUCKLAND: Waitemata City, several collections from the Waitakere Ranges [PDD 30709, 41970, 41989 (Samuels culture 81-356), 42968, 43161, 45351, 45353 (Samuels culture 81-355), 45387, 45388, 45418, 45419, 45420] Manukau City, near Alfriston, on dead wood, Dingley, 10 Aug. 1946 (PDD 4627); Manukau City, Orere, on Ripogonum scandens, Dingley, 10 Aug. 1946 (PDD 4627); Manukau City, Orere, on Ripogonum scandens, Dingley, 2 Dec. 1964 (PDD 3707); Hunua Ranges, Plough's Road, on Freycinetia baueriana var. banksii, Dingley, 31 Jan. 1972 (PDD 29737). COROMANDEL: vic. Thames, Kauaeranga Valley, on decort. wood, Samuels (81-44) et al., 1 Apr. 1981 (PDD 41988); Tapu-Coroglen Road, track to Maumaupaki, 450 m, on indet. tree, Samuels et al., 11 Jan. 1985 (PDD 47415). WAIKATO: vic. Te Awamutu, Mt Pirongia, on a root, Samuels (82-22) & Samuels, 22 Mar. 1982 (PDD 44271). BAY OF PLENTY: Te Puke, Ohinaeongaonga Stream, on Beilschmiedia tawa, collector unknown, 26 Dec. 1958 (PDD 45419). GISBORNE: Urewera National Park, c. 12 km SE of Ruatahuna along State Highway 38, Mangapohata, Samuels (82-264) & Johnston, 2 Nov. 1982 (PDD 44427); Urewera National Park, vic. Lake Waikaremoana, vic. Motor Camp, Ngamoko Track, Samuels & Samuels, 24 May 1982 (PDD 45356). WELLINGTON: Weraroa, on dead wood, Cunningham, Sep. 1919 (PDD 105); same location, on wood, Cunningham & Neill, 1 May 1923 (PDD 45417); second collection on unknown host, May 1923 (PDD 45409). NELSON: c. 20 km S of Murchison, vic. Woodstock, W Bank Rd., Hancocks Bush, on decort. wood, Samuels (82-155) et al., 14 May 1982 (PDD 44359). WESTLAND: vic. Greymouth, Rapahoe Scenic Reserve, Point Elisabeth Walkway, on Freycinetia baueriana var. banksii, Samuels (85-78, 85-79) et al., 1 May 1985 (PDD 47420, PDD 47421).

Stromata gregarious and sometimes fasciculate to solitary and scattered, unbranched, dichotomously branched, or palmately branched, 1-4(-6) cm long; tip at first conidiogenous. Fertile portion subapical, cylindrical in section, 1-2(-5) cm long x 2-3 cm diam., rounded or apiculate at apex, apiculus 2-3 mm long; at first brown and with brown hairs, later hairs not evident and brown tissue splitting longitudinally; perithecia completely immersed, 400-1000 µm diam., ostioles umbilicate, difficult to see. Internal tissue of stroma white, solid. Stipe sharply delimited from fertile portion, wiry, 1-1.5(-2) mm diam.; at first with stiff, erect, setose, brown hyphal hairs; hairs not evident on old material. Asci 229-280 µm total length x (5-)7-9(-10) µm, sporiferous part 120-180 µm, cylindrical; 8-spored, apical ring J +, cylindrical, (3.5-)4-5 µm high x 34(-5) µm'wide; ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (16.0-)20.0-24.5(-30.0) x (5.0-)6.78.0(-9.0) µm, inequilateral with one side flat to concave and the other side curved, elliptical in top view; one-celled or occasionally with an inconspicuous cellular appendage (primary appendage) on one end, transparent brown; slit somewhat less than full length or full length, parallel to long axis of ascospore or slightly undulate. Conidiogenous cells in vivo forming a compact palisade c. 25 µm deep, comprising branched, light brown, smooth conidiophores; each branch terminating in a conidiogenous cell; conidiogenous cells 11-19 x 2.5-3.0 µm, cylindrical; conidiogenous loci terminal, with a 0.5-1.0 µm diam., refractive circular scar remaining after conidial dehiscence. Conidia (4.0-)5.2-7.7(-10.0) x (1.5-) 1.8-2.3(-3.0) µm, ellipsoidal to oblong, the apex sometimes slightly hooked or beaked; pale brown, smooth; each conidium with a protuberant, 0.5-1.0 µm wide, refractive, frill-like, basal abscission scar.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown 2 weeks at 20°C in diffuse daylight on OA 3-5 cm diam., mycelium dark green to black over most of the colony except white at the margin, aerial hyphae with much-branched tips and with long, stiff, erect, unbranched, acute hyphal hairs scattered throughout the colony. Stromata not forming or sterile stromata forming within 1 month, then poorly developed or robust, cylindrical, tapering to an acute apex, to 2 cm long, covered with stiff, erect, black, setose hyphae. Conidia rarely forming in culture.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Wellington. SOUTH ISLAND: Nelson, Westland.

HABITAT: On decaying, decorticated wood of dicotyledonous trees, less frequently on vines of Ripogonum scandens J. R. & G. Forst. (Smilacaceae) and on stems of Freycinetia baueriana Endlicher var. banksii (A. Cunn.) B. C. Stone (Pandanaceae). More common in mixed podocarp forests than in Nothofagus forests.

Xylaria apiculata is among the most common species in New Zealand. It was originally described from New Zealand; the holotype has been examined [New Zealand (K)]. The fungus listed by Berkeley (Hooker 1855) as X. multiplex (Kunze) Fr. was probably X. apiculata; X. multiplex has not been seen µmong collections examined by us.
Since its description X. apiculata has been reported from various parts of the world and is especially common in South µmerica. It is probable that several taxa will be found to be included under this name. Moreover, X. apiculata is related to X. arbuscula, X. schreuderiana, and X> zealandica, described elsewhere herein. These taxa are apparently components of a species complex.
Martin (1970) cultured X. apiculata. His description differs from ours in that colonies were reported to be pure white and conidia were not observed.

REPRESENTATIVE SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NORTHLAND: Three Kings Island, on Albizia lophantha (Willd.) Benth., Newhook, 7 Jul. 1956 (PDD 47068); Bay of Islands, vic. Russell, Moturoa Island, on ?Metrosideros excelsa Sol. ex Gaertn. Samuels (85-84) et al., 17 May 1985 (PDD 47422); Russell State Forest, Ngaiotonga Scenic Reserve, Kauri Grove Track, on Melicytus ramiforus J.R. & G. Forst., Samuels (85-82) et al., 16 May 1985 (PDD 47427); Hokianga County, Omahuta State Forest, Kauri Reserve, on Freycinetia baueriana var. banksii, Samuels(82-229) et al., 1 Jun. 1983 (PDD 43204). AUCKLAND: Oratia, on Pinus radiata D. Don; D. W. McKenzie, Aug. 1948 (PDD 45394) Marton, on decaying stump, Cunningham, Jul. 1927 (PDD 45423). WELLINGTON: Lake Papaetonga, on wood, Neill, 2 May 1923 (PDD 45407). NELSON: Abel Tasman National Park, track along coast between Marahau and Guilbert Point, on Pinus radiata, Samuels (82-194) et al., 16 May 1982 (PDD 43177). NOUTHLAND: Otautau, on dead wood, Rawlings, Nov. 1946 (PDD 5026).

Stromata solitary to gregarious, unbranched or rarely branched near base and then fasciculate, (1-)2-3(-4) cm long; fertile portion lanceolate, circular to elliptic in section, 2-3 mm diam.; stipe to 10 mm long x 1.0-1.5 mm diam., not sharply delimited from fertile portion, slightly wrinkled, glabrous or with fine brown hairs; at first with a cinereous coating on surface of stroma, the cinereous colouration eventually disappearing and then stromal surface becoming black, smooth or slightly wrinkled; peritheeia completely immersed, 300-400 µm diam., each opening through an inconspicuous papilla; internal tissue of stroma solid, white. Asci 150-210 µm total length x 5-9 µm, the sporiferous part 65-100 µm, cylindrical; apical ring J +, cylindrical, 2-3 µm wide x 3-4 µm high; asci 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (11-)13-16(-19) x (4.0-)5.0-6.0(-7.5) µm, inequilateral with one side flat and one side curved; elliptic in top view; one-celled or with inconspicuous cellular appendage (primary appendage) on one end, transparent brown; slit full length or less than full length and then 7-12 µm long, diagonally inserted, or parallel to long axis of ascospore, straight or broadly sigmoidal.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown three weeks at 20°C in diffuse daylight on OA 5 cm diam., with pronounced concentric rings of slightly raised, yellow-tan to orange-tan mycelium alternating with broader bands of appressed white mycelium. Stromata not forming in culture.

DISTRIBUTION: (number of specimens examined in parentheses). NORTH ISLAND: Northland (5), Auckland (13), Wanganui (1), Wellington (3). SOUTH ISLAND: Nelson (1), Southland (1).

HABITAT: On bark and decorticated wood of angiosperms and gymnosperms but not found in Nothofagus forests.

Xylaria arbuscula was originally described from a greenhouse in Italy and has since been reported from various parts of the world. Dennis (1956) has listed probable synonyms and, later (Dennis 1961) accepted it as Xylosphaera mellisii (Berk.) Dennis [= Xylaria mellisii (Berk.) Cooke]. Because of the probability that several taxa will eventually be recognised (see below) we accept the better known name until additional studies can be done. Miller's description (1942) of X. arbuscula from Africa generally embraces our concept of the species.
Xylaria arbuscula from New Zealand is characterised by a thin, cinereous coating overlying the dark underlying stroma. This coat often disappears almost completely from older specimens. The ascospore germ slit is usually broadly sigmoidal, laterally inserted, and less than the full length of the ascospore. Ascospores sometimes bear a very inconspicuous cellular (primary) appendage on one end. The frequency of appendaged ascospores varies from collection to collection. Stromata from North µmerica, South µmerica and Europe usually show a more conspicuous cinereous or light tan outer layer which dehisces by shredding or peeling; ascospore germ slits are usually less than the full length of the ascospore and, in some cases, ascospores bear an inconspicuous cellular appendage (J. D. Rogers unpublished).
Cultures were made from four collections of X. arbuscula from New Zealand but these did not form stromata and remained sterile. Martin (1970) cultured X. arbuscula from Africa and reported only sterile stromata.

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: Auckland: Waitemata City, Waitakere Ranges, Swanson, University Hut, on decorticated wood of Leptospermum sp., Samuels (82-257) et al., 24 Aug. 1982 (PDD 44421).

Stromata solitary and scattered, unbranched or dichotomously branched, 5-7 cm long; fertile portion terminal, 2-7 cm long, elliptical in section, 5 x 2 mm, tip round; surface black, slightly tuberculate from perithecial elevations. Perithecia 200-500 µm diam., almost completely immersed with only apex free, each opening through a minute papilla. Stipe sharply delimited from fertile portion, 2-3 mm diam., brown, wrinkled; glabrous above, with matted brown hyphae toward the base. Internal tissue of stroma solid, white. Asci 150-190 µm total length x 5-7 µm, sporiferous portion 70-105 µm, cylindrical, apical ring J+, wedge-shaped, 2 µm wide x gum high, 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (10-)11-13 x (4.0-)4.5-5.0 µm, inequilateral, ellipitical in top view; transparent brown; slit full-length, straight, parallel to long axis of ascospore.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown 4 weeks at 20°C diffuse daylight on OA 8 cm diam.; mycelium white, appressed and dense. Stromata arising throughout the colony, barraging, olivaceous with white tips, 1-2 cm x 1 mm, tips conidiogenous. Conidiophores formed in a loose, c. 70 µm deep palisade, cylindrical, smooth, irregularly branched, c. 3 µm wide but with many intercalary swellings to 5 µm wide; conidiogenous loci terminal, with a refractive, frilled, 1 µm wide scar remaining after conidial dehiscence. Conidia (5-)7-12(-15) x 2.0-2.5(-3.0) µm, nearly oblong with tip broad to subacute and base, colourless, smooth; each with a protuberant, flat, refractive, filled, 1 µm wide abscission scar.

NORTH ISLAND: Auckland, known from a single collection.

HABITAT: On decorticated wood of Leptospermum.

Only one specimen is tentatively referred to this species. Our specimen is close to X. hypoxylon, but has ostiolar papillae. The culture derived from this collection is similar to those formed by X. hypoxylon. Additional collections might show this New Zealand collection to be only a variant of X. hypoxylon.

REPRESENTATIVE SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NORTHLAND: Hokianga County, Waipoua State Forest, vic. forest H. Q. along Waipoua River, on indet. wood, Samuels (83-509) et al., 11 May 1983 (PDD 45734); Hokianga County, vic. Mangamuka Bridge, Omahuta State Forest, vic. forest H. Q., on decorticated wood, Samuels (82-51) & Johnston, 14 Apr. 1982 (PDD 44288). COROMANDEL: Tapu-Coroglen Rd., track to Maumaupaki, elev. 450 m, on indet. tree, Samuels et al., 11 Jan. 1985 (PDD 47429). GISBORNE: Urewera National Park, Lake Waikaremoana, vic. Motor Camp, Ngamoko Track, on Beilschmiedia tawa, Samuels (83-481) et al., 30 May 1983 (PDD 45762); Urewera National Park, c. 15 km SE of Ruatahuna, along SH 38, Taupeupe Saddle, on Nothofagus menziesii (Hook. f.) Oerst., Samuels (82-301) et al., 3 Nov. 1982 (PDD 43802). TARANAKI: Mt Egmont National Park, track between Stratford and Dawson Falls, at base of small dead tree, Samuels (83-488) et al., 24 Apr. 1983 (PDD 45759). TAUPO: Tongariro National Park, Mt Ruapehu, on Nothofagus sp., Cunningham, Mar. 1929 (PDD 18950); T.N.P. on Phyllocladus aspleniifolius var. alpinus, Dingley, 20 Oct. 1949 (PDD 18948); T.N.P. Dingley, on Griselinia littoralis, Oct. 1949 (PDD 45392); Mt. Ruapehu, Whakapapa River, 3000 ft., on Pittosporum sp., Dingley, 20 Oct. 1949 (PDD 18955); Mt. Ruapehu, Whakapapa, on Pseudopanax colensoi, Dingley, 19 Oct. 1949 (PDD 18956); T.N.P., Station Bush, on Podocarpus hallii, Baker, 20 Jan. 1954 (PDD 18949). NELSON: Karamea, Huia River, on Nothofagus menziesii, McNabb, 20 Oct. 1959 (PDD 19802); Black Point, Murray Creek, on Nothofagus sp., Johnston, 31 Dec. 1980 (PDD 42080). BULLER: c. 33 km SE of Murchison P.O. on Murchison-Maruia Saddle Road, on indet. wood, Samuels (83-511) et al., 24 May 1983 (PDD 45735); 26 km S of Murchison, at a point where Pea Soup Creek joins Maruia River, on Murchison-Lewis Pass Road, on indet. wood, Samuels (83-537) et al., 26 May 1983 (PDD 45731); Nelson Lakes National Park, on ?Pittosporum sp., Samuels (83-512) et al., 25 May 1983 (PDD 45761). WESTLAND: Copeland Valley, Douglas Rock, on Pseudopanax colensoi, Cunningham, 31 Jan. 1947 (PDD 5139); Granville Forest, Orwell Creek, on Nothofagus fusca (Hook. f.) Oerst., Dingley, 1 Apr. 1963 (PDD 21948); Westland National Park, Fox Glacier, Lake Matheson, on ?Weinmannia racemosa, Samuels (83-473) et al., 7 Apr. 1983 (PDD 45764); Haast Pass, c. 58 km E of Haast junction along Robinsons Creek, on Nothofagus menziesii, Samuels (83-454) et al., 12 Apr. 1983 (PDD 45748); Westland National Park, Franz Josef Glacier, track to Lake Wombat, on indet. wood, Samuels (83-474) & Petersen, 10 Apr. 1983 (PDD 45763). NORTH CANTERBURY: Arthur's Pass National Park, eight collections on Nothofagus solandri (Hook. f.) Oerst. and indet. wood, Samuels et al., 19-20 May 1983 (PDD 45730, 45732, 45760, 45768, 45770, 45771, 45772, 46538). FIORDLAND. Doubtful Sound, on Nothofagus menziesii, Dingley, Feb. 1948 (PDD 45391). Eglinton Valley, Knob Flat, 1500 ft., on Nothofagus sp., Atkinson, Jan. 1964 (PDD 23859). SOUTHLAND: Alton Valley, Tuatapere, on Nothofagus menziesii, Dingley, 23 Feb. 1954 (PDD 45390); Catlins State Forest Park, Grahams Road, Haldane Scenic Reserve, on indet. tree, Samuels (85-75) et al., 17 Apr. 1985 (PDD 47417).

Stromata solitary to gregarious but not fasciculate; unbranched, cylindrical, clavate, lanceolate or broadly spathulate, (1-)3-4(-6) cm long x 3-25 mm wide x 2-5(-10) mm thick, tip acute to rounded, entire stroma fertile; sessile or seated on a barely differentiated, plane or slightly enlarged, glabrous or villous stipe to 7 mm long x 3-4 mm wide; brown to dull blackish brown. Surface splitting into distinct plates, each plate with 1-2 minute papillae; perithecia completely immersed, 400-500 µm diam. Asci 130-140 µm total length x (5.0-)5.5-7.0 (-8.0) µm, sporiferous portion (50-)70-85(-95) µm, cylindrical; apical ring J+, minute, 2-3 µm wide x 1-2.5 µm high; 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (8.0-)9.5-11.0(-14.0) x (4.5-)5.06.0(-6.5) µm; elliptical, inequilateral to nearly symmetric, dark brown, nearly opaque, slit obscure, probably full-length, straight, parallel to long axis of ascospore. Conidiophores in vivo forming a dense, 25-50 µm deep palisade over the stromal surface; comprising branched, colourless, smooth conidiophores, each branch terminating in a conidiogenous cell; conidiogenous cells (9-)11-15(-17) x 2-3 µm, cylindrical; condiogenous loci terminal, with a 0.5-1.0 µm wide refractive circular scar remaining after conidial dehiscence. Conidia (5.0-)5.3-7.7(-9.0) x (1.5-)2.0-2.8(-3.5) µm, oblong to clavate, colourless, smooth; each with a 1 µm wide, refractive or non-refractive, frilled, basal abscission scar.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Cultures grown 2 weeks at 20°C in diffuse daylight on OA 3-5 cm diam.; mycelium cottony, white to pale salmon with no black colouration on the surface of the agar; stromata arising from centre or margin of colony, or stromata not forming. Stromata 7-20 x 1-3 mm, cylindrical with tip acute or less frequently spathulate; at first entirely pale salmon, gradually becoming dark below, without distinctive hairs; most remaining sterile with conidia found only once in culture.

DISTRIBUTION: (numbers of specimens examined in parentheses). NORTH ISLAND: Northland (2), Coromandel (1), Gisborne (3), Taupo (9), Taranaki (1). SOUTH ISLAND: Nelson (9), Buller (4), Westland (8), N Canterbury (8), Fiordland (2), Southland (2).

HABITAT: On decaying wood of trees; most often on Nothofagus spp. and Weinmannia racemosa Linn. f., but also on the dicotyledonous trees Beilschmiedia tawa (A. Cunn.) Kirk, Pittosporum sp., Pseudopanax colensoi (Hook. f.) Philipson, Griselinia littoralis Raoul and on the gymnosperms Phyllocladus aspleniifolius (Labill.) Hook. f. var. alpinus (Hook. f.) Keng, Podocarpus hallii Kirk, and Dacrycarpus dacrydioides (A. Rich.) de Laubenfels.

Xylaria castorea is the most common Xylaria in New Zealand and is usually an inhabitant of Nothofagus forests. It was originally described as being the shape of a beaver's tail (Castor) but, in fact, the broadly spathulate form is less frequently found than the cylindrical form. The species is extremely variable, the most usual forms being cylindrical to lanceolate with an acute apex. All of these forms feature a distinctive plate-like cracking of the stromatal surface, a minute apical ascal ring, and very dark ascospores with a germ slit that is often difficult to discern. Cultures derived from all of these growth forms are identical.
Martin (1970) cultured South African specimens of what he believed to be X. castorea. Colonies were described as white; stromata were produced, but conidia were not observed. Isolates of X. castorea from New Zealand are salmon-coloured, thus leaving some doubt as to the identity of the South African collections.
Xylaria castorea is strongly allied to X. curta Fr. and X. feejeensis (Berk.) Fr. and, indeed, further study might show it to be only a form or subtaxon of the latter species. The anamorph and cultures described for X. curta (Rogers 1983) resemble those of X. castorea. Cultures of X. feejeensis from France are similar to those of X. castorea described herein except that the bases of stromata of the former are conspicuously villose and areas of colonies sometimes darken; conidia have not been observed (J. D. Rogers, unpublished).
X. castorea can be confused with X. cubensis (Mont.) Fr. Stromata of both of these species are of similar stature and both have ascospores of approximately the same size but these two species are not closely related (see above and Rogers 1984).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NORTHLAND: Bay of Islands, Russell State Forest, Ngaiotonga Scenic Reserve, Kauri Grove Track, on decaying wood, Samuels (85-10) et al., 16 May 1985 (PDD 49005). AUCKLAND: Waitemata City, Waitakere Ranges, Cascade Kauri Park, elev. 200 ft., Dingley, Sep. 1948 (PDD 45340).

Anamorph: Xylocoremium flabelliforme Rogers, Mycologia 76: 914. 1984.
Stromata unbranched, cylindrical, 2.5 cm long x 1 cm diam., base sometimes slightly enlarged, pannose; entire fructification fertile; brown. Surface plane, crustose and hard, not splitting but with network of fine cracks; perithecia completely immersed. c. 500 µm diam., opening through minute papillae; internal tissue solid (stromata often becoming hollow in collections from elsewhere), white. Asci 160-180 µm total length x 6-7 µm, sporiferous portion 50-70 µm, cylindrical; apical ring J+, minute, c. 2 µm wide x 1 µm high; 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores 8-10.5 x 4-5 µm, inequilateral with one side flat to concave and the other side round, elliptic in top view; brown, transparent; slit obscure, probably full length, parallel to long axis of ascospore.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown on OA 3 weeks at c. 20°C, 12 h darkness/ 12 h near ultraviolet + cool white fluorescent light > 9 cm; mycelium appressed to the surface of the agar, pale salmon; stromata forming throughout the colony. Stromata to 1.5 cm long x 3 mm diam., longest stromata in the middle of the colony, salmon but black at the base, cylindrical except at the tip which is convoluted, conidiogenous. Conidia held in pale grey, powdery masses. Conidiophores forming a compact 25-30 µm deep palisade, ± penicillately branched 3-4 times, each branch 15-20 µm long, bearing refractive frilled scars c. 0.5 gin diam. over the upper half of the cell. Conidia 4-5(-6) x 1.5-2.0 µm, clavate, colourless, smooth; each with a flat, refractive, 0.5-0.7 µm wide basal abscission scar.

NORTH ISLAND: Northland, Auckland. Within New Zealand known from two collections.

HABITAT: On decaying wood of dicotyledonous trees.

Xylaria cubensis is found in various tropical, subtropical, and temperate localities of the world. Its systematics and biology have recently been discussed by Rogers (1984). It has been confused with X. castorea and its allies (see notes regarding X. castorea).

REPRESENTATIVE SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NORTHLAND: Hokianga Country, Waipoua State Forest, vic. Te Matua Ngahere giant kauri, on decaying dicotyledonous leaves, Petersen, 23 Jun. 1981 (PDD 41979). AUCKLAND: Waitemata City, Titirangi, Titirangi Beach Reserve, on decaying leaves of Pseudopanax crassifolius (A. Cunn.) C. Koch, Samuels et al., 12 Aug. 1981 (PDD 45737). WESTLAND: Westland National Park, vic. Fox Glacier, road to Gillespies Beach, on indet. leaf, Samuels (82-47) et al., 9 May 1982 (PDD 44284).

Stromata solitary and scattered, unbranched, 310 cm long filiform, < 0.5 mm diam., at first conidiogenous; perithecia intercalary, solitary or clustered, elevations distinct, (300-)500-700 µm diam., each perithecium opening through a minute papilla. Surface dark brown to black, wrinkled, continuous with surface of axis, glabrous. Asci 165-170 µm total length x (5.5-)6.0-8.0(-10.0) µm, sporiferous portion (85-)90-116(-135) µm, cylindrical; apical ring J+, wedge-shaped, 3 µm high x 2.5-3.0 µm wide; asci 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (12-)13-16(-21) x 5-7(-8) µm, inequilateral with one flat to concave side and one round side, elliptic in top view; transparent brown, slit full length or slightly less than full length, parallel to long axis of ascospore. Conidiophores form in vivo along the entire length of the filiform stroma. Conidiophores forming a compact palisade; conidiogenous cells cylindrical, 15 µm long x 2-3 µm wide, hyaline, smooth; conidiogenous loci terminal, with refractive, frill-like scars c. 0.5 µm diam. remaining after conidial dehiscence. Conidia (3.0-)3.8-4.8(-5.0) x (1.5-)1.7-2.0(-2.3) µm, ellipsoidal with a truncate, refractive or non-refractive base, hyaline, smooth.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown 1 week on OA at 18-20°C, 12 h darkness/ 12 h near ultraviolet + cool white fluorescent light 5 cm diam., flat and nearly invisible with scant aerial mycelium but with scattered, salmon stromaatc fundaments beginning to form. Stromata forming abundantly throughout the colony within 2 weeks, eventually attaining 5 cm x 0.5 mm diam., filiform, unbranched, acute, black, remaining sterile.

DISTRIBUTION: (numbers of specimens examined in parentheses). NORTH ISLAND: Northland (6), Auckland (4), Taranaki (1). SOUTH ISLAND: Nelson (1), Westland (1).

HABITAT: On decaying leaves of dicotyledonous trees; less often on other herbaceous debris.

Our concept of X. cf. filiformis is similar to that of Saccardo (1882) and most other authors. The original application of the name is uncertain and confusing, as Dennis (1958) has made clear. Nonetheless, there appear to be numerous separate taxa that need to be considered on a worldwide basis before the status of X. cf. filiformis and several other names can be fully understood.
New Zealand collections of X. cf. filiformis are morphologically identical to a Daldini specimen from Switzerland (PDD 38759; LO) and morphologically and culturally identical to some collections from Japan (PDD 44499. 44512). Unfortunately, the cultures derived from New Zealand collections of this species expired before we were able to photograph them. The culture illustrated in Fig. 16 G was derived from one of the Japanese collections. A morphologically similar fungus from a fern rachis in Japan (PDD 44510) had ascospores 25-26 x 7-9 µm, but we were unable to culture it.
The following species (Xylaria taxonomic species 1 and 2) represent taxa that are distinct from the present concept of X. cf. filiformis but we hesitate to name them given the existing uncertainty in application of the name X. filiformis.

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: NORTHLAND: S of Kaitata, vic. Mangamuka Bridge, Omahuta State Forest, vic. forest H. Q., on soil (? buried wood), Samuels (81-191) & Horak, 12 May 1981 (PDD 41972).

Stroma solitary, branched once dichotomously at apex, 7 cm long; fertile portion terminal, cylindrical, circular in section, 1.5 em long x 2 mm diam.; light brown, glabrous, slightly tubercuiate from protruding perithecial apices; perithecia c. 200 µm diam., with conical apices. Internal tissue of stroma white, solid. Stipe sharply delimited from fertile protion, 2.5 mm diam., glabrous. Asci c. 65 µm total length x 5 µm cylindrical; apical ring J+, 2 µm wide x 2 µm high; 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (7.0-)7.5-8.5(-9.0) x 3.5-4.0(-4.5) µm, inequilateral with one side flat and the other side round, one-celled or with an inconspicuous cellular appendage (primary appendage) on one end, transparent brown; slit full length, parallel to long axis of ascospore.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Northland, known only from one collection.

HABITAT: On soil, possibly on buried wood.

This fungus resembles X. furcata in the habit and colour of stromata. It differs from typical X. furcata, however, in its substantially larger ascospores. Dennis (1961) gives ascospores of African material as 4-5 x 2 µm and several specimens examined at K have similar dimensions. Material depicted by Dennis (1961) is hairy overall, but several specimens at K are glabrous. We have not seen type material of X. furcata.
We were unable to culture our material. According to Dixon (1965) the anamorph of X. furcata is unique in producing two types of conidia which are violently discharged. This conidial state has been named Padixonia bispora Subram. (Subramanian 1972).
Typical X. furcata is associated with termite nests. We were unable to determine whether or not the New Zealand fungus was associated with insects.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: COROMANDEL: Thames, Kauaeranga Valley, on indet. wood, Samuels (83-55) & Petersen, 1 May 1983 (PDD 45372); vic. Kawakawa Bay, Morehu Scenic Reserve, on buried, well rotted wood of Nothofagus fusca, Samuels (83-68) et al., 5 May 1983 (PDD 45337). GISBORNE: Urewera National Park. Lake Waikaremoana, track from Aniwaniwa to Lake Waikareiti, on wood in running water, Samuels (83-540,) et al., 29 May 1983 (PDD 45371); Lake Waikaremoana, track from Aniwamwa to Lake Ruapam, on Nothofagus sp., Samuels (82-70), 25 May 1982 (PDD 44304). BULLER: vic. Lyell Creek, c. 26 km S of Murchison, on indet. wood, Samuels (83-459) et al., 17 Apr. 1983 (PDD 45369); 22 km SE of Murchison P.O., on Murchison-Maruia Saddle road, on wood in running water, Samuels (85-81) et al., 7 May 1985 (PDD 47426). SOUTHLAND: Catlins State Forest Park, c. 20 km SW of Owaka, Table Hill Scenic Reserve, track to Matai Falls, on wood in running water, Samuels (85-76) et al., 18 Apr. 1985 (PDD 47418).

Stromata solitary or gregarious, unbranched, 1.5-2.0(-3.0) µm long, at first conidiogenous and white: perithecia intercalary and formed in 1 or 2 cylindrical clusters or, less frequently, forming over the entire length of the axis except on the acute apex, fertile portion 2 mm diam., perithecia completely immersed or nearly superficial; surface of the fertile portion somewhat tuberculate, with longitudinal splitting; brown tissue sometimes evident: perithecia) openings umbilicate to slightly papillate or not evident. Internal tissue white, solid. Stipe and axis sharply delimited from fertile portion, wiry, < 0.5 mm diam., black and glabrous or with fine tomentum of brown hyphae. Asci 170-200(-225) µm total length x (5.0-)5.5-7.0(-8.0) µm, sporiferous part (65-)72-95(-120) µm, cylindrical; apical ring J+, wedge-shaped, 2.0-2.5 µm wide x 2.0-4.5 µm high; 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (10.0-)11.5-13.5(-15.5) x 4.5-6.0(-6.5) µm, inequilateral with one side flat to concave and the other side rounded; elliptic in top view; transparent brown; slit slightly less than full length to full length, parallel to the long axis of the spore. Conidiophores in vivo forming in a white layer along the length of the filiform, < 0.5 mm diam., stromatal axis. Conidiophores forming a dense palisade; conidiogenous loci terminal with a 1 µm diam. refractive frill remaining after conidial dehiscence. Conidia (6.0-)7.2-10.7(-11.5) x 2-3 µm, narrowly elliptic to clavate, colourless, smooth: each with a 0.5 µm wide, flat, refractive basal abscission scar.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown 3 weeks at 20°C diffuse daylight on OA 3-4 cm diam., flat or with conspicuously barraging hyphal ropes or young stromata around the depressed centre and with blackening in the centre of the colony; acute, 7 mm long stromata arising from the centre of the colony; stromata black below and white above, sterile.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Coromandel, Gisborne. SOUTH ISLAND: Buller, Westland, Southland,

HABITAT: Decorticated wood, most often in running water.

Xylaria hypoxylon is a complex species which will probably eventually be shown to include several taxa. It has been reported from almost every part of the world but seems most common in temperate regions. It is apparently not common in New Zealand, where it is most often found on blackened wood in running water.
Xylaria hypoxylon sometimes superficially resembles X. cf. filiformis in its wiry axis, but the former species is usually much more robust than the latter. They are separable on ascospore characters. Moreover, X. hypoxylon occurs on wood, whereas X. cf. filiformis occurs on herbaceous debris and leaves.
Xylaria hypoxylon has been cultured many times by various persons. Our New Zealand cultures greatly resemble those of Callan (1985) initiated from stromata collected in the western United States. Her cultures particularly resembled ours in production of sterile stromata. Conidia from naturally produced stromata were slightly larger than those reported herein (Callan 1985).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: WAIKATO: Taupiri Mt., 900 ft, on Dysoxylum spectabile (Forst. f.) Hook. f., Dingley, 27 Nov. 1954 (PDD 45341); Hamilton, Claudelands Bush, on unknown host, White (F 484), 26.ii.1969 (PDD 28412). BAY OF PLENTY: Lake Rotoehu, 1000 ft, on Dacrydium cupressinum, Dingley, 21 Jun. 1951 (PDD 45399). TAUPO: Rotorua, Lake Okataina, 1500 ft, on trunk of dead fallen Bedschmiedia tawa, Cunningham, 26 Jun. 1952 (PDD 45398). WELLINGTON: Weraroa, Williams Bush, on Laurelia novae-zelandiae A. Cunn., Rawlings, Jun. 1947 (PDD 45339); Weraroa, "bush", on dead wood, Cunningham & Neill, no date given, (PDD 45339); Weraroa, "bush", on dead wood, Cunningham & Neill, no date given, (PDD 2811); Weraroa, on decorticated wood, Cunninghain & Neill, 1 May 1923 (PDD 45439), Weraroa, on dead wood, Atkinson, July 1919 (PDD 47413).

Stromata arising from decorticated wood, gregarious to solitary and scattered; unbranched or rarely with one branch, (1.0-)1.5-3.0(-6.0) cm long; tip at first conidiogenous. Fertile portion terminal; lanceolate to cylindric, rarely spathulate with broadest point median to basal, 3-5(-7) mm, elliptic to circular in section, less frequently flattened. Stipe not sharply delimited from the fertile portion, 3-20 mm x 1-2 mm, wrinkled, glabrous to velutinous with short brown hyphae. Surface of stroma at first brown, later black with scant remains of brown scales, slightly tuberculate to wrinkled with shallow creases between perithecial elevations; perithecia completely immersed, 300-500 µm diam.; each opening through a minute, mammiform papilla. Internal tissue of stroma white to very pale orange, orange intensifying somewhat in 3% KOH, solid. Asci 110-140 µm total length x 6-7(-8) µm, sporiferous portion (70-)80-105 µm, cylindrical; apical ring J +, wedge-shaped, 2.0-2.5 µm wide x 2-3 µm high; 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (10.0-)11.5-14.0(-16.5) x (4.0-)5.06.5 (-8.5) µm, inequilateral with one side flat and the other side curved, elliptic in top view; brown, transparent; slit full length, parallel to long axis of spore. Conidial stromata in vivo palmately branched above, ultimate branches white from conidial formation. Conidiogenous cells forming a compact palisade, c. 25 µm long x 3 µm wide, pale brown, smooth; conidiogenous loci terminal, with 1 µm wide refractive, frill-like scars remaining after conidial dehiscence. Conidia (8.0-)10.0-12.5 x (1.5-) 1.7-2.3(-3.0) µm, narrowly ellipsoidal to nearly cylindrical, colourless, smooth; each with a flat, 1 µm wide, refractive, frill-like basal abscission scar.

NORTH ISLAND: Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taupo, Wellington.

HABITAT: On decaying wood of gymnosperms (Podocarpaceae: Dacrydium) and dicotyledonous trees.

A typo differt in ascosporis (10.0-)11.5-14.0(-16.5) x (4.0-)5.0-6.5 (-8.5) µm. Holotypus: PDD 45397.

Xylaria luteostromata was described from Philippine specimens and was considered by Lloyd to be much like X. castorea except for the pale yellow stroma (Lloyd 1919). We have examined type material [Philippines, A.D.E. Elmer no. 7217, Jan., 1906 (K)] and authentic material [Philippines, on wood, E.D. Merrill no. 10549, Lloyd no. 10406 (BPI); Philippines, on wood, Baker exsicc. no. 300, Lloyd no. 12899 (BPI)] and agree that it is probably related to X. castorea. Our new variety macrospora differs from the typical variety primarily in its larger ascospores.

HOLOTYPE: Taupo: Lake Okataina, 1500 ft, on decorticated wood of Dacrydium cupressinum Lamb., Dingley, 20 Jun. 1951 (PDD 45397).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: GISBORNE: Urewera National Park, Lake Waikaremoana, Ngamoko Track, on indet. wood, Horak & Johnston, 26 May 1981 (PDD 45343); same locality, second collection, on indet. wood, Samuels (82-89) & Samuels, 24 May 1982 (PDD 43167); same locality, third collection, on Weinmannia racemosa, Samuels (81-190) et al., 21 May 1981 (PDD 41977).

Stromata gregarious, unbranched or once dichotomously branched, lanceolate to subcylindrical, 7-10 mm long x 2 mm, widest at base and tapering to an acute tip, elliptical in section; dark brown to nearly black. Surface rugose but not conspicuously cracked. Perithecia completely immersed, 100-200 µm diam., perithecial openings appearing as minute papillae. Internal tissue of stroma white, solid. Stipe lacking or at best ill-defined, glabrous. Asci 65-95 µm total length x 4-5(-l l) µm, sporiferous part (40-)54-75(-80) µm, cylindrical; apical ring J+, wedge-shaped, 1 µm high x 1.5 µm wide; ascospores 1-seriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (5.0-)6.0-7.5(-8.5) x 3.0-4.0 µm, inequilateral with one side flat and one side round, elliptic in top view, with inconspicuous cellular appendage (primary appendage) on one end, transparent brown; slit full length or slightly less, parallel to long axis of ascospore.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown 3 weeks at 15-18°C in diffuse daylight on OA and CMD c. 1.5 cm diam., felty, white with short aerial hyphae. Conidiophores formed in poorly developed white hyphal tufts, nondescript, barely differentiated from vegetative hyphae; Conidia borne along the length on widely spaced, conspicuous denticles. Conidia (4-)5-7 x 1.5-2.5(-3.0) µm, variable in shape but basically oblong to clavate, colourless, smooth; each with a protuberant, flat basal abscission scar.

DISTRIBUTION: Gisborne.

HABITAT: On decorticated dicotyledonous trees.

Xylaria myosurus has usually been reported from South America. Our concept of the fungus is based largely on Dennis (1956). The specimens described here are similar to Dennis' description (1956) except that the ascospores average slightly larger. Type material [Cayenne, Leprieur (K)] was examined, but ascospores were not sought in the fragile material.
Martin (1970) cultured ,X. myosurus and his brief description resembles our description, except that stromata were formed in his cultures. He did not find conidia.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: (all on seed of Rhopalostylis sapida Wendl. &amp; Drude): NORTHLAND: Bay of Islands County, Puketi State Forest, picnic area along Waipapa River, Samuels (82-120) &amp; Johnston, 16 Apr. 1982 (PDD 44333). AUCKLAND: Waitemata City, Waitakere Ranges, Cascades, Samuels (81-349) et al., 14 Aug. 1981 (PDD 45691); Waitakere Ranges, Titirangi Beach Reserve, Samuels (82-13) & Hennebert, 27 Feb. 1982 (PDD 44267).

Stromata solitary or gregarious, 2.5-4.5 cm long, unbranched with apex attenuated and acute or enlarged and palmate. Fertile portion subapical, cylindrical, 1-2 cm long x 2.0-2.5 mm diam.; stipe sharply delimited from the fertile portion, 1-2 cm long x 1.0-1.5 mm diam., with a velutinous coat of short, reddish hyphae. Stromal surface with brown tissue cracking longitudinally, slightly tuberculate from perithecia) elevations; perithecia almost completely immersed, 300-400 µm diam., ostioles difficult to see. Internal tissue of stroma white, solid. Asci 130-140 µm total length x 5-6(-7) µm, sporiferous part (65-)74-87 (-90) µm, cylindrical; 8-spored, apical ring cylindrical, J+, 2 µm high x 2-3 µm wide; ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (8-)10-13(-16) x (4.5-)5.0-6.0(6.5) µm, inequilateral with one side straight and the other curved; in top view elliptical to naviculate with one end attenuated; transparent brown; slit full length or nearly so, parallel to the long axis of the ascospore.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown two weeks at 20°C in diffuse daylight on OA 4.5 cm diam.; mycelium flat, white but with a blue-green ring around the centre, incipient stromata sometimes forming in the centre of the colony; with a rose-coloured pigment spreading into the medium; surface of colony eventually becoming dark olivaceous and velvety; stromata forming within one month, erect, 2-3 cm long x 2 mm diam. at base, branched, clothed in green hyphae; tip acute, white, conidiogenous. Conidiophores arising from aerial hyphae along upper half of the stroma, loosely dispersed and not forming a distinct palisade, unbranched, 25-55 µm long x 2-3 µm wide at base, straight, smooth, hyaline; producing a small number of conidia at the tip, a minute denticle remaining after conidial dehiscence. Conidia (4.0-)4.5-6.5(-8.0) x 2.0-2.5(-3.0) µm, ellipsoidal, with a protuberant, flattened, weakly refractive basal abscission scar.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Northland, Auckland.

HABITAT: Monocotyledonous trees.

NOTES: Our concept of X. palmicolais that of Dennis (1956). The fungus described here differs from his description in its somewhat smaller ascospores.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NORTHLAND: Bay of Islands County. Puketi Forest, Manginangina Scenic Reserve, on dead Beilschmiedia tawa, Dingley, 17 Aug. 1972 (PDD 30236); Hokianga County, vic. Mangamuka Bridge, Mangamuka Gorge Scenic Reserve. on trunk of Beilschmiedia tawa, Samuels (83-529) et al., 9 May 1983 (PDD 45738); Whangarei County, Punaruku, Russell State Forest, on Ripogonum scandens, Haydon, 31 Jan. 1974 (PDD 32023). AUCKLAND: Auckland City, Epsom, on twigs, Hughes 207, 27 Jan. 1963 (PDD 20502), same locality, on Solanum sp., collector unknown, 28 Oct. 1962 (PDD 45396), same locality, on Viburnum opulus L., Dingley, 13 Jan. 1963 (PDD 30706); Mt Albert, on Vitex lucens T. Kirk, Atkinson, Apr. 1954 (PDD 45338); Waitemata City, Henderson, Mountain Road, on Dysoxvlum spectabile, Dingley, Mar. 1954 (PDD 45702); Manukau City, vic. Kawakawa Bay, Hunua Ranges, Te Morehu Scenic Reserve, on Beilschmiedia tawa, Samuels (83-534) et al., 5 May 1983 (PDD 45740). COROMANDEL: Little Barrier Island, House Stream, on Beilschmiedia tarairi, Newhook, 11 Jun. 1956 (PDD 45395). WELLINGTON: Kahutarawa River, on dead Coprosma stems, Cunningham, Oct. 1930 (PDD 2973); Lake Papaetonga, on bark, Cunningham & Neill, 2 May 1923 (PDD 45426); Weraroa, three collections on dead wood, Cunningham, 4 Oct. 1919 (PDD 45408), 5 Sep. 1919 (PDD 1042), Sep. 1919 (PDD 101), a fourth collection, Cunningham & Neill, 1 May 1923 (PDD 45424).

Stromata gregarious, sessile, or stalked, at first conidial, fertile portion subglobose, 1-2 mm diam., often with an apiculus, containing only a few perithecia or less frequently fertile portion with more perithecia and then subcylindrical; with brown tissue splitting longitudinally away from the apiculus and stromal surface appearing rugose; with stiff, erect, brown, setose hyphae arising from all over stroma, or hairs not evident; perithecial outlines obvious; perithecia 300-400 µm diam., openings not evident; internal tissue of stroma white, solid; stipe sharply delimited from fertile portion, most stipes 0.5-1.0 mm long and stromata appearing sessile, less frequently stipes up to 10 mm long x 0.5 mm diam. and densely setose. Asci 160-200 µm total length x 7-9(-10) µm, sporiferous part (110-)115-135(-160) µm, cylindrical, apical ring J+, wedge-shaped, 3-4 µm high x: 3-4 µm wide; 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (15-)18-21(-26) x (6-)7-9(-11) µm; inequilateral with one side flat and one side curved, elliptic in top view; brown, transparent; slit full length or slightly less than full length, 13-15(-18) µm long, parallel to long axis of ascospore.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CULTURES: Colonies grown 2 weeks at 20°C in diffuse daylight on CMD 5-6 cm diam., flat, white, transparent with scant aerial mycelium, colony margin deeply dissected. On OA colonies >, 9 cm diam., densely cottony, white. Within one month on OA colony surface with a black stromatic overlay. Stromatic structures arising in ill-defined concentric rings, 2-3 mm long, dendroidally branched, black with white tips; with stiff brown hairs arising from the surface; most remaining sterile but with conidia forming on a few. Conidiophores arising over the entire surface of the stroma, branching irregularly and forming a loose but uniform palisade; conidiogenous cells cylindrical, 7-13 x c. 3 µm; conidia borne apically, leaving a refractive, 1.0-1.5 µm diam. frilled scar after dehiscence. Conidia (4.5-)5.0-6.5(-8.0) x 1.5-2.0 µm, oblong to clavate and sometimes asymmetric with a faint apical beak or hook; colourless, smooth; each with a flat, protuberant, c. 1 µm wide, refractive basal abscission scar.

HABITAT: On wood of dicotyledonous trees, and woody stems of Solanum sp. and Ripogonum scandens (Smilacaeae).

Xylaria schreuderianais a relatively common species in New Zealand It is related to X. apiculata, X. arbuscula, and X. zealandica. Dennis (1956) believed X. schreuderiana to be only a kretzschmariold state of X. apiculata, but our field and cultural data indicate that it is best maintained as a separate species. We have examined authentic (? type) material of X. schreuderiana [South Africa, van der Bijl no. 1365, Nov. 1932 (K)].

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: NORTHLAND: Bay of Islands County, Puketi State Forest, Loop Track vic. forest H.Q., on ground under living trees, Samuels (83-116) et al., 10 May 1983 (PDD 45344); Hokianga County, Waipoua State Forest, vic. forest H.Q., along Waipoua River, on ground, Samuels (83-73) et al., I1 May 1983 (PDD 45690); vic. Mangamuka Bridge, Mangamuka Gorge Scenic Reserve, on ground, Samuels (83-69) et al., 9 May 1983 (PDD 46273, anamorph only); vic. Mangamuka Bridge, Omahuta State Forest, vic. forest H.Q., on rotting wood, Samuels (83-117) et al., 11 May 1983 (PDD 45345). COROMANDEL: Manukau City, vic. Kawakawa Bay, Morehu Scenic Reserve, on ground with decaying wood, Samuels (83-69) et al., 5 May 1983 (PDD 46273, anamorph only).

Stromata solitary, simple, bifurcate or several times branched below the apex and then palmate, 2-7 cm long, filiform with whip-like tip; at first conidiogenous. Surface olivaceous brown and fleshy when fresh, wrinkled, glabrous; perithecia nearly superficial, intercalary, scattered, diagonally inserted, pyriform, 600 µm high x 400 µm; apex acute. Asci 170-200 µm total length x 7-8 µm, sporiferous part (105-)110-150 µm, cylindrical; apical ring J +, cylindrical, 2.5-3.0 µm wide x 4 µm high; 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends or partially biseriate. Ascospores (14.5-)16.0-20.0(-22.0) x (6.5-)7.08.:5(-9.0) µm, naviculate with one end narrowed and the other end broadly rounded, or fusoid; inequilateral with one side flat and the other side rounded, dark brown, transparent to nearly opaque; slit nearly full length, 12-15 µm long, straight, parallel to long axis of the ascospore. Conidiophores in vivo loosely disposed along the length of whip-like tips of conidiogenous stromata. Conidia forming on swollen nodes of conidiogenous cells; coriidiophores and conidia otherwise as found in culture.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown 1 month at 20°C in diffuse daylight on CMD 2 cm diam., felty, 'white but with abundant black sclerotia forming in the aerial mycelium. Colonies on OA > 9 cm diam., otherwise as on CMD but colony appearing black from abundant sclerotic. Sclerotic globose, 50-100 µm diam., solid, pseudoparenchyrnatous, black, sterile. Conidia forming on CMD and OA but more abundant on OA. Conidiophores on OA arising in aerial mycelium along lines of contact between single ascospore isolates; also forming on scattered synnematous structures. Synnemata forming only on OA, 1.0-1.5 cm long, white, branched, composed of 3-4 µm wide hyphae. Conidiophores loosely dispersed along the length of the synnemata and terminating hyphae of synnemal surface, irregularly branched, each branch terminating in a 15-40 µm long conidiogenous rachis; conidia forming along the length of the conidiogenous rachis, conidiogenous scars c. 1 µm wide, with a refractive frill. Conidia (4.0-)4.5-5.5(-6.0) x 2.0-3.0(-3.5) µm, clavate, colourless, smooth; each with a refractive, 1 µm wide, basal frill.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Northland, Coromandel.

HABITAT: On ground under living trees and on well rotted wood.

This fungus appears to be a distinct species related to X. cf. filiformis, X. schwackei Henn., and X. vagans Petch (if indeed these names represent distinct species). Xylaria cf. filiformis is usually considered to be an inhabitant of leaves, petioles and herbaceous stems, whereas the two related species have been reported on woody substrates. There are many described species of small wood-inhabiting Xylaria, however, and these should be studied before concluding that the fungus under consideration is an undescribed species. Xylaria taxonomic species 1 seems unusual in the loose (non-palisade) arrangement of conidiophores on conidiogenous stromata.

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: WESTLAND: Paparoa Ranges, vic. Blackball, Croesius Track, Garden Gully, on decaying leaf of Astelia sp., Samuels (85- 80,) et al., 3, 4 May 1985 (PDD 49588).

Stromata solitary, scattered, simple, c. 1.5 cm long, filiform, c. 1 mm diam., black. Surface smooth to slightly wrinkled. Perithecia intercalary, nearly superficial, pyriform, acute, c. 700 µm diam. Internal tissue white, solid. Asci 120-160 µm total length x 11-15 µm, sporiferous part 87-100 µm, cylindrical, ring J+, wedge-shaped, 3-4 µm wide x 5 µm high; 8-spored, ascospores diagonally arranged with overlapping ends. Ascospores 16-17(-19) x 7.0-8.0(-8.5) µm, broadly elliptical in top view, shaped like an orange segment when seen laterally, dark brown, barely transparent; slit full length, straight, parallel to long axis of the ascospore.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown 2 weeks at 18-20°C, 12 h darkness/ 12 h near ultra-violet + cool white fluorescent light on OA 4 cm, flat with scant, cottony, pale salmon aerial mycelium. Stromata eventually forming, few to numerous, 1-1.5 cm long x 3-5 mm diam., acute and slim or obtuse and wider, remaining salmon coloured and sterile.

DISTRIBUTION: SOUTH ISLAND: Westland.

HABITAT: On decaying leaves of Astelia sp.

NOTE: This species is morphologically very similar to X. cf. filiformis but differs in the dimensions of its ascospores and ascal ring, and in characteristics of its colonies.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: GISBORNE: Urewera National Park; 16 km SE of Ruatahuna, Huiarau Summit, on ground under Nothofagus menziesii, Samuels et al., 1 Jun. 1983 (PDD 45346); Urewera National Park, Lake Waikaremoana, track to Lake Waikareiti, on ground, Samuels (83-163) et al., 29 May 1983 (PDD 45347); Lake Waikaremoana, track between Aniwaniwa and Lake Ruapani, on soil, Samuels et al., 31 May 1983 (PDD 45741).

Stromata solitary, simple, 2.5-5 cm long, tip at first conidiogenous and whip-like; filiform, 1-2 mm diam., surface olivaceous, wrinkled, fleshy; perithecia intercalary, nearly superficial, pyriform, acute, 400-500 µm high x 400 µm wide. Internal tissue white, solid. Asci greater than or equal to 280 µm total length x (11-)13-15( 20) µm, the sporiferous part (210-)217-250(-205) µm, cylindrical; apical ring J+, cylindrical, 6-7 µm wide x 7-10(-12) µm high; 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends. Ascospores (31-)34-40(-42) x (9-)13-14(-16) µm, fusiform with subacute ends, inequilateral, one side flat and the other side rounded, dark brown, near opaque; slit 22-26 µm long, straight, parallel to long axis of the ascospore. Conidiophores in vivo forming a compact paliade along the tip of the conidiogenous stromata; palisade 50-100 µm deep; conidiogenous cells cylindrical, c. 4 µm wide, straight, smooth, pale brown; conidiogenous loci terminal, leaving a 1 µm wide refractive, frill-like abscission scar after conidial dehiscence. Conidia (4.0-)5.5-7.0 x 3.0-4.0 µm, subglobose to elliptical, tip sometimes acute, with a 0.5 µm, refractive basal frill, very pale brown, smooth.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Gisborne.

HABITAT: On ground under living Nothofagus spp. and on rotten wood of Nothofagus spp.

A typo differt in ascospores (31-)34-40(-42) x (9-)13-14(-16) µm. Holotypus: PDD 44428.

X. theissenii var. macrospora seems to differ from the typical variety chiefly in the larger size of its ascospores. It has been found only in association with Nothofagus spp. and might grow from living rootlets.
This variety is closely related to Xylaria taxonomic species 1 (see above).

HOLOTYPE: GISBORNE: Urewera National Park, 15 km SE of Ruatahuna along State Highway 38, Taupeupe Saddle, on well rotted wood of Nothofagus sp., Samuels (82-265) et al., 3 Nov. 1982 (PDD 44428).

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Location, substrate, and date unknown, Cleland 15 (PDD 39922). NORTHLAND: Hokianga County, Waipoua State Forest, on Beilschmiedia tarairi (A. Cunn.) Benth. et Hook. f. ex Kirk, Lancaster, Dec. 1951 (PDD 45427). AUCKLAND: Waitemata City, Waitakere Ranges, Cascade Kauri Park, on unknown host, Dingley, Dec. 1963 (PDD 23570). GISBORNE: Urewera National Park, vic. Lake Waikaremoana, on decorticated wood, Samuels (82-306) et al.., 4 Nov. 1982 (PDD 43807); vic. Lake Waikaremoana, Ngamoko Track, on indet. decorticated wood, Samuels (82-268) et al., 4 Nov. 1982 (PDD 44436); same collecting data, second collection Samuels (82-266, PDD 43186); Lake Waikaremoana, track from Aniwaniwa to Lake Waikareiti, on ?Nothofagus sp., Samuels (83-539) et al., 29 May 1983 (PDD 45368); same locality, Samuels (81-305), 24 May 1981 (PDD 41982). TAUPO: Mt. Hauhungatahi, on unknown host, Baker, 25 Jan. 1954 (PDD 45342). TARANAKI: Mt Egmont National Park, North Egmont, 2500 ft., on Weinmannia racemosa, Dingley, Mar. 1951 (PDD 45428); Mt Egmont National Park, Dawson Falls, 2300 ft., on Weinmannia racemosa, Dingley, 30 Jan. 1953 (PDD 45429); Mt Egmont National Park, track between Stratford and Dawson Falls, on indet. wood, Samuels (83-483) et al., 24 Apr. 1983 (PDD 45766); same collecting data, two additional collections, Samuels (83-482 PDD 45767), Samuels (83-485, PDD 45765); Mt Egmont National Park, vic. Stratford Mountain House, Potaema Track, Samuels (83-490) et al., 25 Apr. 1983 (PDD 45758). WELLINGTON: locality, host, and collector unknown, Cleland collection (PDD 39922); Weraroa, on dead wood, Cunningham, Sep. 1919 (PDD 104). DUNEDIN: Dunedin City (?), on dead wood, Moore 55, May 1938 (PDD 39918 ex Cleland collection); Dunedin, on dead wood, Dalrymple, Apr. 1933 (PDD 5144). SOUTHLAND: Longwood State Forest, vic. Otautau, Pourakino Walkway, along Pourakino River, on indet., dead tree, Samuels (85-11) et al., 20 Apr. 1985 (PDD 49004).

Stromata solitary to gregarious, subglobose to conical to subcylindrical, (2-)7-10(-40) mm high x (2-) 7-10 mm wide, sessile and centrally attached or on minute, 1.5-4 mm long x 1 mm diam. stipes. Surface of stroma brown, plane to wrinkled and cerebriform, cracking into polyhedral plates or not cracking; perithecia completely immersed, (400-) 600-800 µm diam., openings obscure, minute and conical to mammiform, sometimes appearing as small black discs against the brown of the stromal surface. Internal tissue white, solid. Asci 185-275 µm total length x (7-)8-9.0( 12) µm, the sporiferous part (125-)140-175(225) µm, cylindrical, 8-spored, ascospores uniseriate with overlapping ends; apical ring J+ cylindrical, 4-5(-6) µm high x (3-)4-5 µm wide. Ascospores (19.0-)22.0-25.5(-29.0) x (5.5-)7.5-9.0 (-10.0) µm, inequilateral with one side flat to concave and the other side round, elliptic in top view, one-celled or occasionally with an inconspicuous cellular appendage (primary appendage) on one end; ends sometimes µmched and papillate; transparent brown; slit (13-)15-17(-19) µm long, straight, parallel to the long axis of the ascospore. Abnormally broad ascospores up to I 1 µm wide often seen in old perithecia.
CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Colonies grown 2-3 weeks at 20°C in diffuse daylight on OA 6-7 cm diam., flat, white with no blackening in the colony; mycelium dense; stromata forming in abundance around periphery of colony and along lines of contact between colonies derived from single ascospores. Stromata 1-4 cm long x 2-3 mm dia.m., branched or unbranched, cylindrical, acute, lacking distinctive hairs, at first white to tan, becoming grey with conidia. Conidiophores forming a loose c. 50 µm deep palisade; branching, each branch 3-4 µm wide, terminating in a conidiogenous cell. Conidiogenous cells (7-)10-16(-20) x (3.0-)3.5-4.0 (-4.5) µm, straight, smooth, conidiogenous loci terminal; conidia leaving a refractive 1.0-1.5 µm diam. frill after dehiscence. Conidia (5.5-)6.5-8.0(-10.0) x 3.0-3.5 µm, clavate to ellipsoidal, colourless, smooth; each with a flat, refractive basal frill.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Northland, Auckland, Gisborne, Taupo, Taranaki, Wellington. SOUTH ISLAND: Dunedin, Southland.

HABITAT: Decorticated dicotyledonous wood.

Xylaria tuberiformis is among the most common Xylaria species in New Zealand. As Berkeley (in Hooker 1855) perceptively noted, this species has affinities with X. polymorpha and X. anisopleura. It has the general stature of X. anisopleura, but the surface usually lacks corky cracking and the germ slit is usually straight rather than oblique or undulate. Our concept of X. tuberiformis has been reinforced by examination of authentic material [New Zealand, Colenso no. 2098 (K)]. Although the species is generally uniform in morphology, we have one collection (PDD 49004, Fig. 5) with stromata that are more robust than usual. They are essentially conical, 1-2 cm high x 0.7-1.5 cm wide at the base and collapsed and split when dry. Features of the asci, ascospores, and cultures confirmed that this is merely a morphological variant of X. tuberiformis.

Stromata flattened, with terminal clusters of globose fertile heads, each head 2-4 mm diam., with several perithecia per head, with long pubescent stipes, the stromata in total 4 cm high x 1 cm broad. Fertile heads dull black, interior white, stipes blackish brown. Surface of fertile heads wrinkled and tuberculate; perithecial ostiolar papillae discoid. Perithecia 0.5-1 mm diam. Asci 8-spored, cylindrical, long-stipitate, 200-250 µm total length x 7.5-8 µm broad, the spore-bearing parts 150-170 µm long. Apical ring of ascus J+, urn-shaped, 4.5 µm high x 3.7 µm broad. Ascospores brown, smooth, one-celled, ellipsoid-inequilateral, 20-23(25) x (6-)7-8 µm, with straight germ slit slightly less than spore length.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Wellington, known only from the type collection.

HABITAT: Decorticated wood.

Stromata complanata, fasciculis terminalibus capitulorum globosorum fertilium, omni capitulo 2-4 mm diametro, peritheciis aliquot per capitulum, stipitibus longis pubescentibus, tota 4 cm alta x 1 cm crassa. Capitula fertilia atra, intus alba, stipites atro-brunnei. Capitula fertilia rugosa tuberculata; papillae ostiolorum peritheciorum discoideae. Perithecia 0.5-1 mm diametro. Asci octospori, cylindrici, longe stipitati, 200-250 µm longitudine tota x 7.5-8 µm crassi, partibus sporiferis 150-170 µm longitudine. Asci annulus apicalis urniformis, 4.5 µm altus x 3.7 µm latus, in liquore Melzeri caeruleo-tinctus. Ascosporae brunneae, leves, unicellulares, ellipsoideo-inaequilaterales, 20-23 (-25) x (6-)7-8 µm, scissura germinativa recta quam spora breviore notata. Holotypus: PDD 39920.

NOTES: This species is characterised by having globoid fertile heads attached to a flattened stipe. Ascospore shape and stromal surface indicates that it is related to X. polymorpha.

HOLOTYPE: Wellington: locality and collector unknown, "no. 13", 22 Jul. 1916 (PDD 39920 ex Cleland collection).

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: WELLINGTON: Weraroa, on dead wood, Atkinson, Jul. 1919 (PDD 47412).

Stromata cylindrical to cylindrical-clavate to conical, usually with a short acute umbo extending beyond fertile portion, with abruptly narrowed stipes making up to one-half of the total length, 4 cm high x 2-3 mm broad. Immature stromata in good condition not observed. Mature stromata dull blackish-brown to blackish. Perithecia 500-700 µm diam.; ostioles umbilicate, inconspicuous. Stipes glabrous, or nearly so, and striate. Stromata roughened by remnants of peeling layer. Asci 8-spored, cylindrical, long-stipitate, but in poor condition in material examined. Apical ring of ascus J +, urn-shaped, 4.5 µm high x 3 µm broad. Ascospores (22-)23-28(-31) x (7.5-)8-9 µm, brown, one-celled or with inconspicuous cellular appendage (primary appendage) on one end, with straight to undulate germ slit slightly less than spore length, parallel to long axis of the ascospore.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Wellington.

HABITAT: On dead wood.

Cooke (1879) described X. zealandica from one specimen collected in Wellington by Travers. Ascospores were published as 32-35 x 10 µm. We examined the type specimen [New Zealand, Travers (K)] in 1979 and it strongly resembles X. apiculala. A few ascospores were measured and were 22-27 x 7-9 µm. In order to check these measurements we recently asked Dr Brian Spooner (K) to make additional measurements of ascospores. The overall size range of 18 ascospores was 21.5-27.5(-29) x (7.5-)8.0-10.0(-11.0) µm. This range agrees well with unpublished data of Dr R.W.G. Dennis generously supplied by Dr Spooner.
The status of X. zealandica is uncertain. It seems very probable that Cooke gave an incorrect size range for ascospores from the type specimen. Although the ascospores of the type specimen and our material are somewhat larger than is usually encountered in X. apiculata, the ranges greatly overlap. The possibility exists, however, that further collecting and culturing will reinforce the existence of X. zealandica as a distinct species. Thus, we tentatively accept X. zealandica herein.