On dead Hoheria populnea. Auckland, Waitakere Ranges, Rangemore Track, 7.VII.l957, J. M. Dingley (HOLOTYPE, PDD25012).

Fructifications firm-fleshy, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, originating as discrete circular or orbicular patches, coalescing to form irregular, linear areas to 10 cm long, pruinose, sordid white to creamy white when fresh, drying to a similarly coloured crust; margins concolorous, fibrillose, adnate. In section 150-200 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium. Basal layer 20-50 µm thick, composed of distinct, interwoven, hyaline, thick-walled hyphae 2-4.5 µm diam. with walls to 2 µm thick, lying parallel with substratum and typically crystal encrusted, clamp connections sparingly present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses and basidia; dikaryophyses abundant, arising vertically or obliquely, from basal hyphae, simple, straight or flexuous, cylindrical to narrowly subclavate, aseptate, smooth basally, heavily crystal encrusted apically, 3-7 µm diam., walls to 2.5 µm thick, projecting to 60 µm beyond basidia; probasidia borne in groups on thinner walled, clamped, fertile hyphae, scattered, broadly elliptical, proliferating through or near basal clamp connections, 18.5-25 x 12.4-15.5 µm becoming 2-celled by longitudinal septa or occasionally longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata stout, cylindrical, to 62 x 4 µm. Basidiospores curved-cylindrical to allantoid, hyaline, apiculate, 18.6-29.8 x 6.8-8.7-(10.2) µm. Germination by repetition or by stout germ tubes.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes firmiter carnatae, resupinatae, tenues, pruinosae, sordide albae ad cremeo-albas; margines fibrillosae, adnatae; ordo basalis factus ex hyphis distinctis, crassiparietibus, crystallo incrustatis, nodosis. Dikaryophyses simplices, cylindricae ad anguste subclavatas, crystallo incrustatae ad apicem, crassiparietes: probasidia late elliptica, 18.5-25 x 12.4-15.5 µm, 2-cellulata vel interdum per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata cylindrica, ad 62 x 4 µm. Basidiosporae curvo-cylindricae ad allantoides, 18.6-29.8 x 6.8-8.7-(10.2) µm. Germinantes per repetitionem, vel per tubulos.
Habitat in mortua Hoheria populnea.

The rather arid texture and thick-walled basal and fertile hyphae indicate that Eichleriella hoheriae is allied to E. subleucophaea. Unlike E. subleucophaea, an ascending layer of thick-walled hyphae is absent in E. hoheriae and the simple dikaryophyses arise directly from basal hyphae. E. hoheriae may be distinguished by the thick-walled basal hyphae, simple, crystal encrusted dikaryophyses with thickened walls and reduced lumina, and large curved-cylindrical to allantoid basidiospores.

Typus Auckland Province, Waitakere Ranges, Rangemore Track, 7.VII.l957, J. M. Dingley, PDD 25012.

On dead (1) Beilschmiedia tawa, Auckland, Lake Rotoehu, 10.IX.l954, G. H. Cunningham, 26312; Lake Okataina, 22.VI.l957, G. H. C., 26314; (2) Brachyglottis repanda, Piha, 19.IX.l965, J. M. Dingley, 24761; (3) Coprosma australis, Wellington, Hunterville, 7.IX.1953, G. H. C., 12604; (4) Dacrydium cupressinum. Lake Rotoehu, 21.VI.l957, J. M. D., 26311; (5) Geniostoma ligustrifolia, Te Aroha, 27.V.1954, J. M. D., 26309; (6) Hedycarya arborea, Rotorua, Blue Lake, 21.VI.l951, J. M. D., 26315; (7) Cyathodes fasciculata, Mt Te Aroha, 16.XII.l953, G. H. C., 26316; (8) Pinus radiata, Oratia, 23.XI.l956, A. Webb, 26310; (9) Senecio kirkii, Waitakere Ranges, Anawhata, 30.XI.l966, R. F. R. McNabb, 25445; (10) unknown hosts, Purewa, VII.l931, M. Hodgkins, 26313; Titirangi, 6.I.l967, R. F. R. McN., 25602.

Fructifications arid when fresh, drying coriaceous, resupinate, at first orbicular or circular, often becoming confluent, forming irregular areas to 15 cm in longest dimension, sordid white, cream, or more typically greyish-brown or brownish-beige, often with faint pinkish tints when fresh, changing little on drying, bearing hyphal pegs; margins paler than hymenial surface, tomentose, adnate when young, often slightly reflexed when old, free from pegs. In section to 450 µm thick, consisting of pegs, basal layer and hymenium; structure monomitic. Pegs acute, sterile except occasionally at extreme base, concolorous with or darker than hymenial surface, projecting to 200 µm, composed of interwoven, rather thick-walled, tinted hyphae. Basal layer poorly defined, composed of interwoven, repent, thick-walled, tinted hyphae, 3-5 µm diam. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses and basidia; dikaryophyses simple or sparingly branched apically, thick-walled throughout or thinner walled and slightly inflated apically, heavily crystal encrusted, tinted; probasidia broadly cylindrical to clavate, proliferating through basal clamp connections, 17-33.5 x 7.8-12.5 µm, becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate, longitudinal septa diverging basally to delimit inflated apical portion from stalk; sterigmata cylindrical, to 65 x 3.5 µm. Basidiospores curved-cylindrical to allantoid, hyaline, apiculate, 12.4-18.2-(20) x 5.8-7.8 µm. Germination by repetition, or by stout germ tubes.

Angiosperm or gymnosperm bark and wood.

Burt, Ann. Mo. bot. Gdn 2: pl. 27, fig. 11. 1915; Reid, Kew Bull. 1957: 128, fig. 2a-d. 1957.

In recent years there has been some controversy as to the identity of Eichleriella spinulosa. New Zealand collections agree closely with Reid's (1957) description of the species and with collections at Kew (D. A. Reid, pers. comm.). Reid (1957) considered the European fungus commonly identified as E. spinulosa to be a distinct species, E. deglubens (Berk. & Br.) Lloyd. He distinguished E. spinulosa by the narrower spores, smaller basidia, and cylindrical to broadly ovate, as opposed to strongly clavate, probasidia. Donk (1966) tentatively adopted Reid's interpretation of E. spinulosa but Wells (1961) could not find any significant differences between European and American specimens and regarded E. deglubens as a synonym. The large clavate probasidia in which the fertile apical portion becomes separated from the stalk by diverging longitudinal septa are characteristic of this species. It appears that the considerable variation in the length of basidia as described by various authors is due to differences in interpretation of the basidium. The measurements given above are of the entire probasidium from the basal clamp connection, and are considerably shorter than those given by Wells (1961) for the same structure.
As pointed out by Olive (1958), it is difficult to distinguish between E. spinulosa and certain species of Heterochaete such as H. delicata (Klotzsch) Bres. and H. livido-fusca Pat. Wells (1961) recognised that Eichleriella was an artificial genus as currently interpreted, and transferred the type species to Exidiopsis. At the same time, he distinguished a group of species consisting of the three above named and Protohydnum cartilagineum Moll., which possessed spinose basidiocarps of essentially the same texture and a similar basidial morphology. It seems likely that when more information is available, this group will be accorded generic rank.

Eichleriella spinulosa is characterised by the arid spinose fructifications, thick-walled internal hyphae, crystal encrusted dikaryophyses, and clavate, stalked basidia. It has not previously been recorded from New Zealand.

Alabama, U.S.A.

On dead Nothofagus menziesii, Hawke's Bay, Upper Mohaka River, 31.V.1953, J. M. Dingley, (HOLOTYPE, PDD12567); Southland, Tuatapere, Alton Stream, 17.IV.l957, S. D. and P. J. Brook, 25607.

Fructifications firm-fleshy, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, originating as discrete circular or orbicular patches, coalescing to form irregular, linear areas to 8 cm long, pruinose, ochraceous brown to pallid brown when fresh, drying to a pallid tan crust, occasionally with faint plum tints in older portions; margins concolorous or paler, arachnoid, adnate. In section 150-300 µm thick, consisting of basal layer, intermediate layer and hymenium. Basal layer well defined, composed of distinct, interwoven, tinted, thick-walled hyphae 2.5-4.5 µm diam. with walls to l.5 µm thick, lying parallel with substratum, clamp connections present. Intermediate layer composed of thick-walled hyphae arranged parallel with substratum or obliquely ascending from basal layer, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses and basidia; dikaryophyses abundant, thick-walled basally, nodulose or finely and irregularly branched apically, arising from thick-walled fertile hyphae; probasidia crowded, narrowly obovate to clavate, proliferating through or near basal clamp connections, 18.2-26 x 7.2-9.8 µm becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata stout, cylindrical, to 28 x 3.5 µm. Basidiospores curved-cylindrical to allantoid, hyaline, aguttulate, apiculate, 12.4-15.6-(16.9) x 3.9-4.9 µm. Germination by repetition or by stout germ tubes.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes firmiter carnatae, resupinatae, tenues, ochraceo-brunneae ad pallide brunneas; margines arachnoides, adnatae; ordo basalis factus ex hyphis distinctis, crassi parietibus, nodosis; ordo medius factus ex hyphis crassi parietibus. Dikaryophyses basaliter crassiparietes, subtiliter et irregulariter ramosae ad apicem; probasidia angusto obovata ad clavata, 18.2-26 x 7.2-9.8 µm, per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata cylindrica, ad 28 x 3.5µm. Basidiosporae curvo-cylindricae ad allantoides, 12.4-15.6-(16.9) x 3.9-4.9 µm. Germinantes per repetitionem, vel per tubulos. Habitat in mortua Nothofago menziesii.

In microscopical characters, Eichleriella subleucophaea closely resembles E. leucophaea Bres. but may be distinguished by the firm-fleshy rather than coriaceous texture and adnate margins which do not become reflexed on drying.
As currently accepted, the genus Eichleriella is differentiated from Sebacina (sensu lato) by the tough coriaceous texture, presence of a well developed basal layer composed of thick-walled hyphae, and reflexed margins of dried fructifications. Many of the species included in the genus appear to be quite unrelated. Wells (1961) regarded Eichleriella incarnata Bres., the type species of the genus, as a synonym of E. alliciens (Berk. & Cooke) Burt and transferred the latter to Exidiopsis. Eichleriella was thus reduced to synonymy. The group of species related to E. alliciens, including E. macrospora (Ell. & Everh.) Martin, E. leucophaea and E. subleucophaea, form an essentially natural unit deserving generic status, and the genus Eichleriella is accordingly retained.

Typus Hawke's Bay Province, Upper Mohaka River, 31.V.1953, J. M. Dingley, PDD12567.

In basidium length, Platygloea australis resembles P. sebacea (Berk. & Br.) McNabb, but differs in the size and shape of spores, larger and darker coloured fructifications, and absence of a stipe cell at the base of the basidium. A number of Platygloea species are fungicolous and although the fructifications of P. australis were adjacent to Diatrype perithecia, no evidence of parasitism could be found.

On dead Pittosporum sp., Auckland, Henderson Valley, Sharp's Bush, 20.ii.l966, R. F. R. McNabb (HOLOTYPE, PDD25293).

Fructifications firm-gelatinous, determinate, erumpent through the bark, pustulate at first, becoming bluntly lobate to gyrose, forming areas to 5.5 cm long, to 7 mm high, dull brown when fresh, drying blackish brown, vernicose or horny film. Internal hyphae thin-walled, 4-5.5 µm, diam., both simple septa and conspicuous clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of basidia, dikaryophyses absent; basidia borne singly or in terminal groups by proliferation through basal clamp connections, narrowly subclavate, transversely 3-septate, 180-295 x 5-6.5 µm, sterigmata cylindrical, to 77 x 3 µm. Basidiospores cylindrical to curved-cylindrical, occasionally allantoid, hyaline, bluntly apiculate, 15.4-23.8 x 6-7.8 µm. Germination not observed.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes firmiter gelatinosae, obtuse labatae ad gyrosas, ad 5.5 cm longae, ad 7 mm altae, sordide brunneae; hyphae internae 4-5.5 µm diam., nodosae. Dikaryophyses absunt; basidia anguste subclavata, 3-septata, 180-295 x 5-6.5 µm; sterigmata cylindrica, ad 77 x 3 µm. Basidiosporae cylindricae ad curvo-cylindricas, interdum allantoides, 15.4-23.8 x 6-7.8 µm. Habitat in mortuo Pittosporo.

Typus Auckland Province, Henderson Valley, Sharp's Bush, 20.II.l966, R. F. R. McNabb, PDD25293.

Fructifications pustulate, densely gregarious, minute, 0.5-1 mm diam., frequently coalescing to form reticulate masses but retaining evidence of pustular origin. Thick-walled cystidia and gloeocystidia with coloured, granular contents absent; paraphysoids and dikaryophyses present. Basidia ovate to broadly elliptical, longitudinally cruciate-septate. Basidiospores curved-cylindrical to allantoid; germination by repetition.

Fructificationes pustulatae, gregariae, minutae, 0.5-1 mm diam. saepe coalescentes sed retinentes vestigia origins pustularis. Absunt cystidia crassiparietia et gloeocystidia cum interioribus coloratis, granulosis. Basidia cruciata-septata. Basidiosporae curvo-cylindricae ad allantoides. Germinantes per repetitionem,

Species typica: Pseudostypella nothofagi

On dead (1) Nothofagus fusca, Hawke's Bay, Upper Mohaka River, 31.V.1953, J. M. Dingley, 25009-11. (2) N. solandri, Carry River, 13.IV.l958, J. M. D. (HOLOTYPE, PDD 25008), (3) Nothofagus sp., Otago, Lake Whakatipu, Paradise, 21.VI.l964, S. Davison, 26086.

Fructifications gelatinous to waxy-gelatinous, gregarious, crowded, erumpent through bark, pustulate to pulvinate, to I mm diam., originating as discrete pustules, anastomosing or coalescing to form extensive areas to 15 cm in longest dimension but retaining evidence of pustular origin, dull yellowish-brown when fresh, drying yellowish-brown with reddish-brown borders, often appearing reticulate or meruloid; margins inconspicuous when fresh, often conspicuous, white, fibrillose or arachnoid when dry, extending between adjacent fructifications. In section to 500 µm thick, consisting of ascending layer and hymenium. Ascending layer composed of distinct, hyaline hyphae, 2-3 µm diam., clamp connections present; fibrillose margins composed of similar hyphae. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses, paraphysoids, and basidia; dikaryophyses simple or irregularly branched apically, with clamp connections throughout their length, projecting beyond basidia; paraphysoids broadly cylindrical, subclavate, clavate, or irregularly strangulated, with basal clamp connections, hyaline, thin-walled, devoid of coloured contents, 24-62 x 4.3-10 µm; probasidia obovate to broadly elliptical, proliferating through or near basal clamp connections, 11.8-16.8 x 8.3-11.2 µm becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata cylindrical, to 55 x 2.5µm. Basidiospores curved-cylindrical to allantoid, hyaline, bluntly apiculate, 11.8-15.5-( 17.5) x 4.3-5.6 µm. Germination by repetition.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes gelatinosae ad ceraceo-gelatinosas, gregariae, erumpentes, pustulatae ad pulvinatas, ad 1 mm diam., anastomosantes, obtuse luteo-brunneae, Ordo ascendens factus ex hyphis distinctis 2-3 µm diam., nodosis. Dikaryophyses simplices vel irregulariter ramosae ad apicem; paraphysoidea cylindrica ad clavata, 24-62 x 4.3-10 µm; probasidia obovata ad late elliptica, 11.8-16.8 x 8.3-11.2 µm, per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata cylindrica, ad 55 x 2.5 µm. Basidiosporae curvo-cylindricae ad allantoides, 11.8-15.5-(17.5) x 4.3-5.6 µm. Germinantes per repetitionem. Habitat in mortua Nothofago fusca.

It is difficult to place this distinctive species with its minute, densely gregarious fructifications in any of the described genera of the Tremellaceae. Depending upon their spore shape, such species usually have been classified in Tremella or Exidia, but it is clear that they cannot satisfactorily be included in either genus. Donk (1966) recognised the difficulty of inserting species with small, crowded fructifications into the existing classification and segregated a group of European species under the general term "Microtremella". He was careful to point out that "Microtremella" was a term rather than a name and that it implied only that the species involved possessed a similar growth habit.
Pseudostypella nothofagi is characterised by the minute, erumpent, densely gregarious fructifications, numerous paraphysoids, and curved-cylindrical to allantoid spores. The fibrillose margins of adjacent fructifications are often confluent, giving the impression that the fructifications are seated on a subiculum as in Stypella, whereas they are in fact erumpent and firmly attached to the substratum.

Typus Canterbury Province, Carry River. 13.IV.l958, J. M. Dingley, PDD 25008.

On dead (1) Dysoxylon spectabile, Auckland, Titirangi, 24.X.1966, 6.I.l967, R. F. R. McN., 25368, 25595; (2) Leptospermum ericoides, Henderson Valley, Sharp's Bush, 20.II.1966, R. F. R. McN., 25024: Titirangi, 11.XII.l966, R. F. R. and R. J. McN., 25514; 3.III.l966, 11.XII.l966, 6.I.l967, R. F. R. McN., 25042, 25525, 25596; Auckland Domain, 7.III.l966, R. F. R. McN., 25060; (3) L. scoparium, Waitakere Dam, 9.II.l966, R. F. R. McN., 24992; (4) Nothofagus fusca Nelson, Maruia, 23.III.l966, R. F. R. McN., 25294; (5) unknown hosts, Anawhata, Titirangi, 30.XI.l966, 7.II.l967, R. F. R. McN., 25449, 25621.

Fructifications soft-waxy to fleshy, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, often tuberculate, forming linear areas to 15cm long, pruinose, greyish-white to greyish-cream when fresh, drying to a pallid grey, pruinose, reticulate or occasionally crustose film; margins concolorous, adnate. In section 50-90 ^ thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium. Basal layer to 20 p. thick, composed of indistinct, gelatinised, agglutinated, hyaline hyphae, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of gloeocystidia and basidia, dikaryophyses absent; gloeocystidia abundant, cylindrical, subfusiform or subclavate, occasionally with globose heads to 13 µm diam., arising from basal hyphae or base of fertile hyphae, at first hyaline, contents becoming pallid yellow, granular, 20-38.5 x 4.5-8 µm; probasidia obovate to pyriform, with basal clamp connections, formed in terminal groups on erect, fertile hyphae, 11-14.5-(17) x 6.5-10 µm becoming 2-celled by longitudinal septa or longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata subulate, 5-10.5 µm long; old basidia collapsing, forming an involucre around axis of fertile hyphae. Basidiospores globose to subglobose, hyaline, prominently and symmetrically apiculate, smooth to finely roughened or echinulate, 5.8-8.5-(10) µm diam. Germination not observed.

Dead angiosperm and gymnosperm wood.

Wells, Mycologia 51: 554, fig. 5. 1959; Luck-Alien, Can. J. Bot. 41: 1035, fig. 10-15. 1963.

The presence of gloeocystidia with yellowish-brown, granular contents indicates that Sebacina caesio-cinerea belongs in sect. Bourdotia. Opinions are almost equally divided as to whether Bourdotia merits sectional or generic status. In a comprehensive study of Bourdotia, Wells (1959) accorded it generic rank and recognised 11 species. The genus was distinguished by the presence of gloeocystidia with yellow or brownish granular contents, method of basidium formation, and structure of the fructification; three characters previously employed by Rogers (1933) to define Bourdotia as a subgenus of Sebacina. More recently, Luck-Alien (1963) considered Well's interpretation of Bourdotia too broadly based and divided the genus further. The gelatinous members such as Sebacina galzinii Bres., the type species of Bourdotia, were placed in Exidiopsis subg. Bourdotia. while arid-waxy species were transferred to Basidiodendron Rick. At the same time, two new subgenera of Basidiodendron were recognised. Sebacina caesio-cinerea was placed in the type subgenus by Luck-Alien.
Considerable variation occurs in the degree of roughening of spore walls in S. caesio-cinerea Bourdot and Galzin (1928) erected a variety of Bourdotia cinerella Bourd. & Galz„ a species now considered a synonym of Sebacina caesio-cinerea to accommodate specimens with roughened or angular spores. Var. trachyspora does not appear to have been validly transferred to S. caesio-cinerea although the combination Bourdotia caesio-cinerea var. trachyspora was used by Oberwinkler (1963). Both smooth and roughened spores can often be found in the same fructification and it seems unnecessary to recognise var. trachyspora.
Sebacina caesio-cinerea is characterised by the prominently apiculate and often finely roughened subglobose to globose spores, abundant gloeocystidia, and basidia with short, subulate sterigmata. In older fructifications, collapsed basidia forming an involucre around the erect fertile hyphae are a distinctive feature. The species is widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere and has not previously been recorded from New Zealand.

Lengerich, West Germany.

On dead Melicytus ramiflorus, Auckland, Thames, Kauaeranga Valley, 26.VIII.l954, J. M. Dingley (HOLOTYPE, PDD 25006); Lake Rotoehu, 10.IX.1954, G. H. Cunningham, PDD 25007.

Fructifications waxy to arid-waxy, resupinate, thin, effused, originating as discrete patches, coalescing to form irregular areas to 17 cm in longest dimension, pruinose to farinaceous, pallid greyish-cream when fresh, changing little on drying; margins concolorous, adnate. In section 100-300 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium, occasionally two or more growth layers present. Basal layer thin, composed of indistinct, agglutinated, hyaline hyphae lying parallel with substratum, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses, gloeocystidia and basidia; dikaryophyses finely and irregularly branched apically, indistinct; gloeocystidia abundant, cylindrical to subclavate, often flexuous, arising from basal hyphae, hyaline at first, contents becoming yellow to brownish-yellow, granular, 42-78 x 5.2-9.7 µm; probasidia at first clavate, later obovate to pyriform, often distinctly stalked, proliferating through or near obscure basal clamp connections, 15.5-25 x 9-13 µm becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata subulate, to 25 µm long. Basidiospores broadly cylindrical, curved-cylindrical, or ovate and flattened on one side, hyaline, apiculate, 12.4-16.8-(19.6) x 5.3-6.6 µm. Germination by repetition or by stout germ tubes

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes ceraceae ad aride ceraceas, resupinatae, tenues, pruinosae ad farinaceas, pallide griseo-cremeae; ordo basalis tenuis, factus ex hyphis indistinctis, nodosis. Dikaryophyses subtiliter et irregulariter ramosae ad apicem; gloeocystidia cylindrica ad subclavata, interiora brunneo-lutea, granulosa, 42-78 x 5.2-9.7 µm; probasidia obovata ad pyriformia, saepe stipulata, 15.5-25 x 9-13 µm, per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata subulata, ad 25 µm longa, Basidiosporae late cylindricae, curvo-cylindricae vel ovatae, 12.4-16.8-(19.6) x 5.3-6.6 µm Germinantes per repetitionem, vel tubulos.
Habitat in mortuo Melicyto ramiftoro.

Sebacina cremea is characterised by the cream, waxy to arid-waxy fructifications, obovate to pyriform, often stalked basidia with subulate sterigmata, and large cylindrical to curved-cylindrical spores.

Typus Auckland Province, Thames, Kauaeranga Valley, 26.VIII.l954, J. M. Dingley, PDD 25006.

On dead Dysoxylon spectabile, Auckland, Titirangi, Atkinson Park, ll.XII.1966, R. F. R. McNabb (HOLOTYPE, PDD 25608); 6.I.l967, R. F. R. McN., 25609.

Fructifications soft-waxy to fleshy, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, forming irregular areas to 10 cm in longest dimension, surface pruinose, white to greyish-white when fresh, drying to a white or colourless, inconspicuous film; margins concolorous, adnate. In section 25-75 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium. Basal layer thin, indistinct, composed of thin-walled, hyaline, agglutinated hyphae lying parallel with substratum, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of paraphysoids and basidia, dikaryophyses absent; paraphysoids abundant, arising from basal hyphae or base of fertile hyphae, variable in shape, cylindrical to subclavate or clavate, often irregular or strangulated, hyaline, thin-walled, contents occasionally faintly yellow but not granular, 11-22 x 4.5-7,0 µm probasidia initially globose, later obovate to suburniform, proliferating through or near basal clamp connections, 5.8-8 x 4.5-5.5 µm  becoming  longitudinally  cruciate-septate;  sterigmata subulate, to 8 µm long. Basidiospores globose to subglobose, occasionally napiform, hyaline, minutely and symmetrically apiculate, smooth, 3-4 µm diam. Germination not observed.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes molliter ceraceae ad carnatas, resupinatae, tenues, pruinosae, albae ad albidas; ordo basalis factus ex hyphis indistinctis, nodosis. Dikaryophyses absunt; paraphysoidea cylindrica ad clavata. saepe irregularia, 11-22 x 4.5-7 µm; probasidia ovata ad suburniformia, 5.8-8 x 4.5-5.5 µm, per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata subulata, ad 8 µm longa. Basidiosporae globosae ad subglobosas, 3-4 µm diam. Habitat in mortuo Dysoxylo spectabili.

In a number of features, Sebacina minutispora resembles S. grandinioides (Bourd. & Galz.) Rogers. It differs in the smooth hymenium, absence of gloeocystidia with yellow or brownish, granular contents, and absence of an involucre of collapsed basidia surrounding the fertile hyphae. The gloeocystidia-like paraphysoids are abundant but at no stage possess granular contents.
Sebacina minutispora is characterised by the numerous paraphysoids, small basidia with subulate sterigmata, and small, symmetrically apiculate globose to subglobose spores.

Typus Auckland Province, Titirangi, Atkinson Park, 11.XII.l966, R. F. R. McNabb, PDD 25608.

On leaf base of Rhopalostylis sapida, Auckland, Waipoua State Forest, 20.i.l955, J. M. Dingley (HOLOTYPE, PDD 25000).

Fructifications arid-waxy, resupinate, thin, effused, originating as discrete patches, coalescing to form irregular areas to 11 cm in longest dimension, pruinose, creamy-tan to creamy-brown when fresh, changing little on drying: margins concolorous, adnate. In section 80-150 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium, occasionally two growth layers present. Basal layer to 15 µm thick, composed of indistinct, interwoven, hyaline hyphae lying parallel to substratum, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses, gloeocystidia and basidia; dikaryophyses sparse, simple, cylindrical; gloeocystidia abundant, irregularly cylindrical to cylindrical-subclavate, flexuous, arising from basal hyphae or base of fertile hyphae, hyaline at first, contents becoming brownish-yellow, granular, 30-75 x 4.5-8 µm, probasidia broadly obovate, pyriform or subglobose, often short stalked, proliferating through obscure basal clamp connections, formed in terminal groups on erect fertile hyphae, 19.6-25 x 11.2-17.3µm, becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata subulate, to 18 µm long. Basidiospores broadly cylindrical to ovate often flattened on one side, hyaline, apiculate, aguttulate, 17.4-24.8 x 9.3-12.4 µm. Germination by repetition or by stout germ tubes.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes aride ceraceae, resupinatae, tenues, pruinosae, cremeo-brunneae; ordo basalis tenuis, factus ex hyphis indistinctis, nodosis. Dikaryophyses rarae, cylindricae; gloeocystidia irregulariter cylindrica ad cylindrica-subclavata, interiora brunneo-lutea, granulosa 30-75 x 4.5-8 µm probasidia late obovata, pyriformia vel subglobosa, 19.6-25 x 11.2-17.3 µm, per longitudinem cruciata-septata: sterigmata subulata, ad 18 µm longa. Basidiosporae late cylindricae ad ovatas, 17.4-24.8 x 9.3-12.4 µm Germinantes per repetitionem, vel per tubulos. Habitat in foliorum basi Rhopalostylidis sapidae.

The presence of gloeocystidia with brownish-yellow granular contents indicate that this species belongs in sect. Bourdotia. In microstructure, Sebacina nikau closely resembles S. pini Jacks. & Martin. It differs in colour of the fructifications, absence of branched dikaryophyses, longer gloeocystidia, and slightly larger aguttulate spores. In addition, S. pini is reported to be restricted to coniferous substrates.
According to Luck-Alien's (1963) classification, S. nikau belongs in Basidiodendron subg. Asarcogloea.

Typus Auckland Province, Waipoua State Forest, 20.1.1955, J. M. Dingley, PDD25000

On dead (1) Coprosma australis, Auckland, Waitakere Ranges, Cutty Grass Track, 3.IX.l965, R. F. R. McNabb, 24708. (2) Quercus robur, Auckland Domain, 4.I.l966, R. F. R. McN. (HOLOTYPE, PDD 24930); 9.I.l967, R. F. R. McN., 25606. (3) Weinmannia racemosa, Stewart Island, 17.II.1954, J. M. Dingley, 25605.

Fructifications soft to waxy-gelatinous, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, forming irregular areas to 10 cm in longest dimension, greyish-hyaline to bluish-grey when fresh, surface pruinose to farinaceous, drying to a hyaline to greyish-white film; margins concolorous, adnate. In section 50-100 µm thick, composed of basal layer and hymenium. Basal layer thin, indistinct, composed of thin-walled, hyaline, agglutinated hyphae lying parallel with substratum, clamp connections present. Fertile hyphae hyaline, thin-walled, tortuous, 2-4.5 µm diam., clamped. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses, paraphysoids and basidia; dikaryophyses abundant, arising from basal hyphae or base of fertile hyphae, projecting 10-30 µm beyond basidia, nodulose, clamped, finely and irregularly branched apically; paraphysoids sparse to abundant, arising from base of fertile hyphae, variable in shape but typically irregularly cylindrical to subclavate, hyaline, thin-walled, devoid of coloured contents, 25-80 x 5-10 µm; probasidia initially cylindrical to clavate, later broadly obovate to pyriform, proliferating through or near basal clamp connections, 14.3-19.2 x 10-13.4 µm, becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata cylindrical, to 45 x 3-4 µm. Basidiospores cylindrical, curved-cylindrical, or ovate and flattened on one side, hyaline, aguttulate, apiculate, 10.4-15.6-(17.3) x 4.8-6.5-(7.2) µm. Germination by repetition, or by stout germ tubes.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes molliter gelatinosae ad ceraceo-gelatinosas, resupinatae, tenues, pruinosae ad farinaceas, griseo-hyalinae ad caesias; ordo basalis tenuis, factus ex hyphis indistinctis, nodosis. Dikaryophyses subtiliter et irregulariter ramosae ad apicem; paraphysoidea irregulariter cylindrica ad subclavata, 25-80 x 5-10 µm; probasidia late obovata ad pyriformia, 14.3-19.2 x 10-13.4µm, per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata cylindrica, ad 45 x 3-4 µm. Basidiosporae cylindricae, curvo-cylindricae vel ovatae, 10.4-15.6-(17.3) x 4.8-6.5-(7.2) µm. Germinantes per repetitionem, vel per tubulos. Habitat in mortua Querco robore.

The absence of both thick-walled cystidia and gloeocystidia with coloured contents indicate that this species belongs in sect. Sebacina. It closely resembles S. umbrina. Rogers but spores of S. novae-zelandiae are considerably broader and range in shape from curved-cylindrical to ovate and flattened on one side.

Typus Auckland Province, Auckland Domain, 411966, R. F. R. McNabb, PDD 24930.

On unknown, host, Auckland, Waitakere Dam, 9.II.l966, R .F. R. McNabb, 24999.

Fructifications waxy-gelatinous, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, forming areas many cm in extent, pruinose, pallid brownish-cream when fresh, drying to an almost invisible, vernicose film; margins concolorous, adnate. In section 200-300 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium, occasionally two or more growth layers present. Basal layer to 15 µm thick, composed of indistinct, agglutinated, hyaline hyphae lying parallel with substratum, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses, gloeocystidia and basidia; dikaryophyses abundant, nodulose, finely and irregularly branched apically, projecting beyond basidia; gloeocystidia cylindrical to subclavate, arising from basal hyphae or base of fertile hyphae, often extending through several growth layers, hyaline at first, contents becoming yellow, granular, 59-112-(220) x 4.2-6.8 µm; probasidia clavate, long-stalked, proliferating through basal clamp connections, 26-38 x 8.4-11.3 µm becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate, longitudinal septa diverging basally to delimit inflated apical portion from stalk, stalk about one half total length of basidium; sterigmata cylindrical, to 38 x 3.5 µm. Basidiospores broadly cylindrical, slightly curved-cylindrical, or ovate and flattened on one side, hyaline, apiculate, 9.7-13 x 4.9-6.5-(7.2) µm. Germination by repetition.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Rogers, Pacif. Sci. 1: 98, fig. 2. 1947; Wells, Lloydia 20: 55, fig. 7. 1957.

The distinctive gloeocystidia indicate that this species belongs in sect. Bourdotia. Although not specifically mentioned, Sebacina petiolata appears to be one of the species that Luck-Alien (1963) would transfer to Exidiopsis subg. Bourdotia. Both Rogers (1947) and Wells (1957) remarked on the similarities between Sebacina petiolata and S. galzinii, the type species of Bourdotia. Luck-Alien considered that waxy-gelatinous species included in Bourdotia by Wells (1961) were related to species such as Exidiopsis laccata (Bourd. & Galz.) Luck-Alien, through their mode of basidium formation and presence of branching dikaryophyses forming a layer above the basidia.
The distinctive characters of Sebacina petiolata are the waxy-gelatinous fructifications, clavate basidia with elongate stalks, finely and irregularly branched dikaryophyses, and long slender gloeocystidia. It is a species of mainly tropical distribution and has not previously been recorded from New Zealand.

Likiep Atoll, Marshall Islands.

 On unknown host, Auckland, Titirangi, Bishop's Reserve, 26.XII.l966, R. F. R. and R. J. McNabb, (HOLOTYPE, PDD25610); 6.I.l967, R. F. R. McN., 25611

Fructifications waxy-mucilaginous, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, forming irregular areas to 6 cm longest dimension, pruinose, hyaline when fresh, drying to an almost invisible, white or pallid greyish white film; margins concolorous, adnate. In section to 50 µm thick excluding cystidia, consisting of basal layer and hymenium. Basal layer poorly defined, thin, composed of indistinct, interwoven, hyaline hyphae lying parallel with substratum, clamp; connections present. Hymenium composed of cystidia, paraphysoids and basidia, dikaryophyses, absent; cystidia straight or flexuous, grouped in fascicles, 75-150 x 4-5µm, projecting 50-100 µm beyond basidia, thick-walled with narrow lumina basally, thinner walled apically, smooth, tinted yellowish-brown; paraphysoids abundant, rarely projecting beyond basidia, cylindrical to subclavate, often flexuous, hyaline, thin-walled, contents hyaline, 19.5-29 x 4-5.4 µm; probasidia at first subclavate to clavate later globose to broadly obovate, 7.2-10.5 x 6.5-7.8 µm becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata subulate, to 10 µm long. Basidiospores oblong-cylindrical, sometimes ovate and flattened on one side, hyaline, inconspicuously apiculate, smooth, 5.8-7.5 x 3.2-4.1 µm. Germination by repetition.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes ceraceo-mucilaginosae, resupinatae, tenues, pruinosae, hyalinae; ordo basalis tennis, factus ex hyphis indistinctis, nodosis. Dikaryophyses absunt: cystidia fasciculata, crassiparietia, 75-150 x 4-5 µm; paraphysoidea cylindrica ad subclavata, 19.5-29 x 4-5.4 µm, probasidia globosa ad late obovata, 7.2-10.5 x 6.5-7.8 µm, per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata sublata, ad 10 µm it longa. Basidiosporae oblongo-cylindricae, 5.8-7.5 x 3.2-4.1µm. Germinantes pet repetitionem. Habitat in mortua angiospermatum silva.

The thick-walled, erumpent cystidia indicate that this species belongs in Sect. Heterochaetella. Luck-Alien (1960) accorded Heterochaetella full generic rank and recognised three species in the genus. Of these, Sebacina pruinosa appears to be most closely related to S. dubia (Bourd. & Galz.) Bourd. and Heterochaetella bispora Luck-Allen. It may be distinguished from Sebacina dubia by the presence of paraphysoids and absence of stellate, spinose, or irregularly shaped crystals. From Heterochaetella bispora it differs in the presence of 4-celled basidia and constantly fasciculate cystidia, and the absence of branched dikaryophyses. As explained in an earlier publication (McNabb, 1966), the conservative approach to the taxonomy of Sebacina (sensu lato) adopted in this series of papers is occasioned by the present of agreement on the limits of some generic segregates of this large and artificial genus. This approach has been adopted mainly for convenience and does not imply rejection of the studies of Luck-Alien (1960, 1963) and Wells (1959; 1961). On the contrary, they make it clear that further genera will be recognised with in Sebacina in the near future, but taxonomic readjustments in a group as complex as this are outside the scope of a series of publications dealing exclusively with a regional flora. However, efforts have been made to indicate the position of new species in the generic segregates currently accepted by Luck-Allen and Wells.

Typus Auckland Province, Titirangi, Bishop's Reserve, 26.XII.l966, R. F. R. and R. J. McNabb, PDD25610.

On dead Beilschmiedia tawa, Wellington, Lake Papaitonga, 8.IX.l953, G. H. Cunningham (HOLOTYPE, PDD12619).

Fructifications soft-waxy to fleshy, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, originating as circular patches, coalescing to form irregular areas to 5 cm in longest dimension, white to sordid white when fresh, drying to a conspicuous white crust; margins concolorous, adnate. In section 75-200 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium; granular material abundant throughout fructification. Basal layer well defined, composed of distinct, interwoven, septate hyphae 2-3.5 µm diam., lying parallel with substratum, clamp connections absent. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses and basidia; dikaryophyses arising from basal hyphae or fertile hyphae, simple or sparingly branched, irregular, often irregularly subclavate and to 7 µm diam., septate; probasidia clavate, typically distinctly stalked, proliferating through or near basal clamp connections, 17.5-24.7-(27) x 7.8-11.7 µm, becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate, longitudinal septa often diverging basally to delimit inflated apical portion from stalk; sterigmata cylindrical, to 30 x 2.5-3 µm. Basidiospores cylindrical, curved-cylindrical, or occasionally ovate and flattened on one side, hyaline, apiculate, 11-14.3 x 4.8-6.8 µm. Germination by repetition.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Fructificationes molliter ceraceae ad carnatas, resupinatae, tenues, albae ad sordide albas; ordo basalis factus ex hyphis distinctis, septatis, enodosis. Dikaryophyses simplices vel raro ramosae ad apicem, irregulares, septatae; probasidia clavata, stipulata, 17.5-24.7-(27) x 7.8-11.7 µm, per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata cylindrica, ad 30 x 2.5-3 µm. Basidiosporae cylindricae, curvo-cylindricae vel interdum ovatae, 11-14.3 x 4.8-6.8 µm. Germinantes per repetitionem. Habitat in mortua Beilschmiedia tawa.

The absence of both cystidia and gloeocystidia indicate that this species belongs in sect. Sebacina.
The morphology of the basidia varies within the single collection. The majority possesses stalks formed by divergence of the longitudinal septa in basal regions, but a number of basidia lacking stalks are also present. An interesting feature of S. tawa is the absence of clamp connections on the internal hyphae except at the base of the basidia. S. tawa does not appear to be closely related to any of the species included in Exidiopsis by Wells (1961). The species is characterised by the simply septate internal hyphae, typically stalked basidia with basal clamp connections, and cylindrical to curved-cylindrical spores.

Typus Wellington Province, Lake Papaitonga, 8.IX.l953, G. H. Cunningham, PDD 12619.

On dead (1) Nothofagus truncata, Auckland, Orere, l.VI.l953, J. M. Dingley, 25013; (2) Weinmannia racemosa, Stewart Island, Half Moon Bay, 15.II.l954, J. M. Dingley, 25014.

Fructifications soft-gelatinous to waxy-gelatinous, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, forming areas to 10 cm in longest dimension, pruinose, dull ochraceous brown when fresh, drying to a similarly coloured vernicose crust; margins concolorous or slightly paler, adnate. In section 150-250 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium, ascending layer present in older fructifications. Basal layer thin, composed of indistinct, agglutinated, hyaline hyphae lying parallel with substratum, clamp connections present. Ascending layer when present composed of distinct, loosely interwoven, clamped hyphae of irregular diameter. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses, paraphysoids and basidia: dikaryophyses variable in shape, ranging from cylindrical or narrowly subclavate to finely and irregularly branched apically, projecting to 25 µm beyond basidia; paraphysoids cylindrical, subclavate or clavate, often irregular or strangulated, arising from fertile hyphae or hyphae bearing dikaryophyses, hyaline, thin-walled, contents hyaline, non-granular, 35-62 x 4.5-9 µm, probasidia initially clavate, later ovate to obovate, often short-stalked, proliferating through conspicuous basal clamp connections, 13.6-17.4 x 8.7-11 µm, becoming 2-celled by longitudinal septa or longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata cylindrical, to 40 µm long. Basidiospores curved-cylindrical to allantoid, hyaline, apiculate, 11-15.5 x 4-4.7-(5.2) µm. Germination by repetition.

Dead angiosperm wood.

Rogers, Stud. nat. Hist. Iowa Univ. 17 (1): 35, fig. 19. 1935; McGuire, Lloydia4: 34, figs. 75-9. 1941.

New Zealand specimens agree closely with North American and European descriptions of Sebacina umbrina. The cylindrical to clavate paraphysoids in S. umbrina have been variously interpreted. Both Rogers (1935) and McGuire (1941) regarded them as gloeocystidia homologous with those found in section Bourdotia, and included the species in subg. Bourdotia and sect. Bourdotia respectively. On the other hand, Wells (1957) considered that these structures differed from the gloeocystidia of Bourdotia and regarded them as paraphysoids, as did Luck-Alien (1963). Wells (1961) later termed them subcylindrical dikaryophyses. In New Zealand specimens, dikaryophyses are extremely variable in shape and in some instances closely resemble paraphysoids in size and shape, except for their irregularly branched apices.
Sebacina umbrina has usually been considered an autonomous species but recently Wells (1961) included it within his greatly expanded concept of Exidiopsis grisea (Pers.) Bourd. & Maire. In his treatment of E. grisea Wells reduced a number of European and North American species to synonymy. Oberwinkler (1963) and Donk (1966) both rejected this concept of E. grisea and regarded most of the European species as distinct. Luck-Alien (1963) remarked that she would place Sebacina umbrina in Exidiopsis subg. Bourdotia.

Miller's Bay, Iowa, U.S.A.