On dead bark and wood of (1) Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Auckland, Mt Roskill, Jul 1964, R.F.R. McN., 24464; (2) Cupressus macrocarpa. Nelson, Karamea, Jan 1964, R.F.R. McN., 24459; (3) Metrosideros excelsa, Auckland, Manukau Heads, May 1965, J. M. Dingley, 24569; (4) Pinus radiata, Rotoehu State Forest, May 1964, R.F.R. McN., 24463; (5) Salix sp., Karamea, Jan 1964, R.F.R. McN., 24462; (6) unknown host, Waitakere Ranges, Kauri Knoll Track, May 1965, R.F.R. McN., 24514.

Fructifications firm-gelatinous, determinate, originating as pustules, becoming smooth or convoluted, coalescing to form irregular areas to 10 cm in longest dimension, sordid hyaline, dingy white or pallid ochraceous when fresh, drying to an ochraceous brown, irregular film; margins abrupt. In section 3-12 mm thick, consisting of ascending layer and hymenium, basal layer present or absent. Basal layer when present composed of compact, interwoven, distinct, hyaline hyphae lying parallel with substratum. Ascending layer composed of loosely interwoven, distinct, hyaline hyphae, 1.5-4.5µm diam., clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses, gloeocystidia and basidia; dikaryophyses simple or irregularly branched apically, 1-3 µm diam., not or rarely arising from fertile hyphae; gloeocystidia clavate, subclavate or subfusiform, occasionally irregular, arising below probasidia, at first hyaline, contents becoming golden to brownish yellow, granular, 35-85 x 6-9-(13) µm, probasidia stalked, racket-shaped, with basal clamp connections, formed in groups on fertile hyphae, 18-31-(37) x 8-13 µm, becoming 2-celled by longitudinal or oblique septa or longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata cylindrical, to 45  x4.5 µm. Basidiospores short-cylindrical to broadly elliptical, often slightly curved, hyaline, apiculate, 9.3-13-(15.4) x 5-8.7 µm. Germination by repetition, or by germ tubes.

Angiosperm and gymnosperm bark and wood.

Olive, Bull. Torrey hot. Club 81: 330, f. 13-22. 337, f. 52A. 1954. (As Exidia cystidiata); Wells, Lloydia 20: 60. f. 10a-e. 1957.

Ductifera sucina is characterised by firm-gelatinous fructifications, stalked basidia and conspicuous golden to brownish yellow gloeocystidia.
Olive (1958, p. 94) indicated that he did not consider the presence or absence of gloeocystidia of generic significance and retained D. sucina and related species in Exidia.

Blumenau, Brazil.

On dead bark of (1) Corynocarpus laevigatus, Auckland, Tomorata, Mar 1965, S. Davison, 24345; (2) Dysoxylon spectabile, Titirangi, Mar 1966, R.F.R. McN., 24997; (3) Hibiscus sinensis, Meadowbank, Apr 1966, J. M. Dingley, 25105; (4) unknown host, Waitakere Dam, Feb 1966, R.F.R. McN., 24998.

Fructifications gelatinous, originating as pustules, becoming convoluted or cerebriform, coalescing to form irregular areas to 10 cm in longest dimension, at first hyaline when fresh, becoming vinaceous brown, drying to a vernicose film; white, seed-like, calcareous concretions embedded in fructifications, conspicuous when dry. In section to 2 mm thick, consisting of thin-walled, hyaline, distinct hyphae, often with bulbous septa, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses and basidia; dikaryophyses irregularly branched, slender; probasidia sphaero-pedunculate, with long, cylindrical stalks and basal clamp connections, inflated portion depressed-obovate, 9-12.5-(14) x 8-9.5-(11) µm, becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; metabasidia separated from stalks by basal septa; sterigmata cylindrical, to 45 µm long. Basidiospores cylindrical, curved-cylindrical or allantoid, hyaline, apiculate, 10-13.5-(17.5) x 4-5.8 µm Germination by repetition.

Angiosperm bark and wood.

Coker, J. Elisha Mitchell scient. Soc. 35: pl. 23, f. 3, 4. pl. 41, f. 1. pl. 56, f. 3-5. 1920; Wells, Am. J. Bot. 51: 361, f. 1. 1964.

Exidia nucleata was first recorded from New Zealand as Naematelia nucleata by Colenso (1886, p. 306) and later by Massee (1906, p. 43), but no collection data were given. As noted previously (McNabb. 1964, p. 411), two collections at Kew which macroscopically resemble Exidia nucleata are both Pleurocolla compressa (Ellis & Everh.) Diehl.
Embedded, seed-like concretions are not a constant characteristic of this species, but when present are a conspicuous feature of dried fructifications. The development of the sphaeropedunculate basidia has been comprehensively described by Wells (1964).

North Carolina, U.S.A.

Parasitic on stems and roots of (1) Beta vulgaris, Canterbury, Ladbrooks, Jul 1956, H. C. Smith, 19069; (2) Daucus caroita. Otago, Dunedin, Jun 1954, A, G. Kenelley, 13239: (3) D. carota, Waitati, Jul 1958, A.G. K., 18501; (4) Solanum tuberosum, Auckland, Pukekohe, Oct 1961, J. M. Dingley, 21857.

Fructifications arid, encrusting, indeterminate, purplish, violet or reddish brown when fresh, often pruinose at maturity, frequently losing violet tints when dry; margins pallid, byssoid. Internal hyphae dark red-or purple-brown, septate, 5-7-(9.5) µm. diam., clamp connections absent. Probasidia subclavate to clavate, straight or tortuous, 18-26 x 6-8 µm., soon collapsing. Metabasidia cylindrical, at first straight, becoming recurved apically, typically transversely 3-septate, 52-69 x 6-8 µm; sterigmata 2-4 per basidium, subulate, to 40 x 3-4 µm Basidiospores ovate, oblong-elliptical, or occasionally curved-cylindrical, hyaline, bluntly apiculate, 9.9-13-(14.5) x 5-6.5-(7.5) µm. Germination not observed.

Plant debris or encrusting living plants.

Buddin & Wakefield, Trans. Br. mycol. Soc. 12: pi. II, f. 1-8. pl. 12, f. 13-30. 1927.

Present information suggests that violet root rot, caused by Helicobasidium brebissonii, is not an important disease of field crops in New Zealand. The species was first recorded in the country by Kirk (1907) as Rhizoctonia violacea.

TYPE LOCALITY: Northern France.

On dead bark and wood of (1) Alectryon excelsus, Wellington, Upper Pohangina River, Jan 1955, G. H. Cunningham, 24433; (2) Rhopalostylis sapida, Auckland, Piha, Sep 1954, J. M. Dingley, 24432; (3) R. sapida, Huia, Jan 1966, R.F.R. McN., 24835.

Fructifications arid-waxy, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate. forming irregular areas to 12 cm in longest dimension, pruinose, greyish hyaline, cream, beige, or pallid tan when fresh, drying tan to light brown: margins concolorous, adnate. In section to 100 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium. Basal layer thin, composed of compact, interwoven, indistinct, agglutinated hyphae lying parallel with substratum. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses, gloeocystidia and basidia; dikaryophyses simple or irregularly branched apically, 1-2.5 µm diam., becoming indistinct; gloeocystidia abundant, cylindrical to subclavate, occasionally irregular, arising from basal hyphae or base or fertile hyphae, at first hyaline, contents becoming yellow to brownish, granular, 17-40-(54) x 4.5-9.3 µm, probasidia obovate to pyriform, with basal clamp connections, formed in groups on erect, fertile hyphae, 12-20.5 x 8.5-11.8 µm, becoming 2-celled by longitudinal septa or longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata subulate, to 20 x 2-3 µm; old basidia collapsing, forming an involucre around axis of fertile hyphae in thick fructifications, sheathing probasidia in thinner fructifications. Basidiospores oblong to broadly elliptical, often flattened on one side, hyaline, apiculate, 8-12.5 x 5.2-7.6 µm. Germination by repetition.

Angiosperm and gymnosperm bark and wood.

Wells. Lloydia 20: 55, f. 8. 1957; Luck-Alien, Can. J. Bot. 41: 1042, f. 36A-46. 1963.

Sebacina cinerea may be distinguished by the conspicuous, cylindrical to subclavate gloeocystidia, and obovate to pyriform basidia with subulate sterigmata. In older and thicker fructifications, the tendency for collapsed basidia to form an involucre around the fertile ascending hyphae is a characteristic feature.

Trento, Italy.

On soil, Auckland, Huia, Jan 1966, J. M. Dingley, 24836.

Fructifications waxy-gelatinous, soft-gelatinous or cartilaginous, thick, effused, indeterminate, originating as small patches, coalescing to form irregular, undulate or tuberculate areas to 12 cm in longest dimension, white to greyish hyaline when fresh, drying to a cream or yellowish brown film or crust. In section to 1 mm thick, consisting of ascending layer and hymenium. Ascending layer composed of interwoven, distinct, septate, hyaline hyphae, 1.5-3 µm diam., clamp connections absent. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses and basidia; dikaryophyses crowded, simple or sparingly and irregularly branched apically, projecting to 60 µm, beyond basidia, distinct; probasidia broadly elliptical, with basal septa. 15.5-19.8 x 11.8-15.5µm, becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata cylindrical, to 100 x 1.5-2.5 µm. Basidiospores obovate to broadly elliptical, often flattened on one side, hyaline, apiculate, 9.1-13.6 x 6.2-9.3 µm. Germination by repetition.

Soil, plant debris, or base of living plants.

Coker, J. Elisha Mitchell scient. Soc. 35: pi. 47. pl. 61, f. 1-5. 1920. (as Sebacina sp.); McGuire, Lloydia 4: 15, f. 3. 18, f. 15-21.1941.

Sebacina epigaea is characterised by conspicuous dikaryophyses forming a distinct palisade, and the absence of clamp connections. Angular resting spores with thickened walls and subulate appendages described by many workers were not observed in the above specimen.
The genus Sebacina has come to include a large and rather heterogeneous assemblage of species and there have been numerous attempts to divide it into smaller and more natural groups. Initial attempts resulted in the erection of a number of subgenera or sections, but in more recent years there has been a tendency to raise these taxa to generic rank and to divide the genus still further (Ervin, 1957; Wells, 1959; Luck-Alien, 1963). However, even amongst those workers who wish to divide Sebacina into segregates of generic rank, there has been little general agreement as to the limits of some of the resulting genera such as Exidiopsis and Bourdotia.
A number of workers (McGuire, 1941; Olive, 1958) have objected to this method of dividing the genus on the grounds that these taxa are linked by transitional species, and have preferred to recognise them merely as convenient subgeneric groups.
At the present state of knowledge it seems preferable to describe the fungi of this group occurring in New Zealand under Sebacina sensu lato until such time as the generic segregates have been more clearly defined. In this series of papers, McGuire's (1941) treatment of the genus is followed and the three sections recognised by him adopted, with the exception that the name of McGuire's section Eusebacina is altered to Sebacina to conform with the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.
These sections may be distinguished as follows:
Gloeocystidia present, contents granular, yellow to brown at maturity ….. Sect. Bourdotia
Gloeocystidia absent, thick-walled, erumpent cystidia present ......... Sect. Heterochaetella
Gloeocystidia absent; highly differentiated cystidia absent ..……………... Sect. Sebacina

Bristol, England.

On dead stipes of (1) Cyathea medullaris, Auckland, Lake Rotoehu, Dee 1953, G. H. Cunningham, 24647; (2) Dicksonia squarrosa, Lake Rotoehu, 13 Dee 1953, G. H. C., (HOLOTYPE, PDD 24646).

Fructifications resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, forming irregular areas to 12 cm in longest dimension, pruinose, dingy white to pallid cream when fresh, changing little on drying; margins concolorous, adnate. In section to 40 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium. Basal layer thin, composed of sparse, indistinct, nodulose hyphae of irregular diameter, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses and basidia; dikaryophyses sparse, irregularly branched apically, indistinct; probasidia clavate at first, becoming subglobose to globose, with obscure basal clamp connections, 7.5-9.5 µm diam., becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata cylindrical, occasionally expanded apically, to 17 x 2-2.5 µm. Basidiospores curved-cylindrical to allantoid, hyaline, apiculate, 7.5-10-(11.5) x 2.8-4 µm. Germination by repetition.

Dead fern stipes.

Fructificationes resupinatae, tenues, effusae, indeterminatae, pruinosae, sordide albae ad pallide luteas; margines concolores, adnatae; ordo basalis tenuis, factus ex hyphis sparsis, indistinctis, diametri irregularis, nodosis. Dikaryophyses sparsae, ad apicem irregulariter ramosae, indistinctae: probasidia subglobosa ad globosa, 7.5-9.5 µm diam., per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata cylindrica, ad 17 X 2-2.5 µm. Basidiosporae curvo-cylindricae ad allantoeides, hyalinae, apiculatae, 7.5-10-(11.5) x 2.8-4 µm. Per repetitionem germinantes.

Fructifications of Sebacina filicola are too thin to permit accurate determination of the texture, but they appear to be arid-waxy rather than gelatinous.
The simple structure of fructifications and the allantoid spores suggest that this species is perhaps closely related to S. fugacissima Bourd. & Galz. It may be distinguished by the larger, subglobose to globose basidia and longer spores.

Typus Auckland Province, Lake Rotoehu, 13 Dee 1953, G. H. Cunningham, PDD 24646.

On dead bark and wood of (1) Brachyglottis repanda, Auckland, Waiuku, Feb 1953, J. M. Dingley, 12479; (2) Coprosma arborea, Henderson, Sep 1953, J. M. D., 24499; (3) C. foetidissima. Taranaki, Mt Egmont, Feb 1952, G. H. Cunningham, 24500; (4) Dacrydium cupressinum, Auckland, Huia, Nov 1948, J. M. D., 24504; (5) Eucalyptus sp., Campbell's Bay, Sep 1955, E. E. Chamberlain, 24505; (6) Eugenia maire, Henderson Valley, May 1952, S. D. Baker, 24502; (7) Leptospermum ericoides, Titirangi, May 1965, R.F.R. McN„ 24603; (8) L. scoparium, Wellington, Mt Tongariro, Dee 1955, G. H. C., 24495;
(9) Leucopogon fasciculatus, Auckland, Mt Te Aroha, Nov 1946, G. H. C., 4776;
(10) Melicytus ramiflorus, Hawkes Bay, Waipatiki Beach, Nov 1955, J. M. D., 24495.

Fructifications arid-waxy, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, forming irregular areas to 15 cm in longest dimension, pruinose. white to creamy white when fresh, changing little on drying; margins concolorous. adnate. In section to 100 µm, thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium; granular calcareous material scattered abundantly throughout fructification. Basal layer thin, composed of compact, interwoven, indistinct hyphae lying parallel with substratum, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses and basidia; dikaryophyses extremely variable in shape, typically nodulose, irregularly branched apically, 1.5-3 µm diam. intergrading through simple, cylindrical dikaryophyses to clavate, gloeocystidia-like structures to 11 µm diam.; probasidia subglobose to obovate, with basal clamp connections, formed in groups, 11.4-15.6 x 8-12.5 µm, becoming 2-celled by longitudinal septa or longitudinally cruciate-septate: sterigmata cylindrical, to 30 x 2.5-3 µm. Basidiospores curved-cylindrical to allantoid, hyaline, apiculate, 11-15.5 x 3.7-4.5-(6) µm. Germination by repetition.

Angiosperm and occasionally gymnosperm bark and wood.

Wells. Lloydia 20: 47, f. 1. 1957; Olive, Bull. Torrey bot. Club 85: 6, f. 1F. 25, f. 10. 1958.

The degree of variability in the shape of dikaryophyses appears to be a characteristic feature of Sebacina mucedinea. In New Zealand collections there is a gradation from irregularly branched dikaryophyses to stout, clavate, gloeocystidia-like structures with hyaline contents. Similar variation was observed in Tahitian material by Olive (1958, p. 23), but the clavate structures were interpreted by him as gloeocystidia. Olive also noted similar structures in the type of S. mucedinea and for this reason placed the species in section Bourdotia.
Neither Martin (1944, p. 69) nor Wells (1957, p. 48) mentioned the presence of gloeocystidia-like structures in S. mucedinea. In a later publication. Wells (1959, p. 560) excluded the species from the genus Bourdotia on the grounds that these structures were not homologous with the gloeocystidia possessing yellow, granular contents found in Bourdotia. In addition, Wells commented that basidium development was not typical of Bourdotia. On the basis of New Zealand material I am inclined to agree with Wells, for in all collections examined the gloeocystidia-like structures lack yellow or brown, granular contents, although their walls may be tinted yellow. However, any disagreement over the interpretation of these structures only serves to support Olive's contention that it is undesirable to use the presence or absence of a single character as a basis for generic separation.
Sebacina mucedinea may be distinguished by the thin, white, mucedinoid fructifications, variable dikaryophyses, and curved-cylindrical to allantoid spores. It is a common species in New Zealand.

Pululahuana, Ecuador.

On dead stipe of (1) Pteridium aquilinum var. esculentum. Wellington, Pohangina Reserve. 21 Aug 1954, G. H. Cunningham, (HOLOTYPE, PDD 24648).

Fructifications arid-waxy, resupinate, thin, effused, indeterminate, originating as small, discrete patches, coalescing to form irregular areas to 5 cm in longest dimension, pruinose, dingy white to greyish white when fresh, changing little on drying; margins concolorous. adnate. In section to 150 µm thick, consisting of basal layer and hymenium. Basal layer thin, composed of indistinct, thin-walled, nodulose hyphae of irregular diameter, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of dikaryophyses and basidia; dikaryophyses abundant, irregularly branched apically, indistinct, probasidia broadly elliptical to obovate, with basal clamp connections, formed in terminal groups on fertile hyphae, 11.8-15.5-(18.5) x 10.5-15 µm, becoming 2-celled by longitudinal septa or longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata cylindrical, to 20 x 3-4 µm. Basidiospores curved-cylindrical, hyaline, apiculate. 10.5-15.5-(18.5) x 5-7-(9) µm. Germination by repetition.

Dead fern stipes.

Fructificationes aride ceraceae, resupinatae, tenues, effusae, indeterminatae, pruinosae, sordide albae ad albidas; margines concolores, adnatae; ordo basalis tenuis, factus ex hyphis indistinctis, tenuiparietibus, diametri irregularis, nodosis. Dikaryophyses permultae, ad apicem irregulariter ramosae, indistinctae; probasidia late elliptica ad obovata, formata in globos terminates in hyphis fertilibus, 11.8-15.5-(18.5) x 10.5-15 µm, 2-cellulata vel per longitudinem cruciata-septata; sterigmata cylindrica, ad 20 x 3-4 µm. Basidiosporae curvo-cylindricae, hyalinae, apiculatae, 10.5-15.5-(18.5) x 5-7-(9) µm. Per repetitionem germinantes.
Habitat in stipitibus mortuis Pteridii aquilini var. esculenti.

Sebacina pteridicola resembles S. filicola in colour and habitat, but may be distinguished by the larger basidia and spores.

Typus Wellington Province, Pohangina Reserve, 21 Aug 1954, G. H. Cunningham, PDD 24648.

On dead bark and wood of (1) Beilschmiedia taraire, Auckland, Kauwau Is., Dee 1946, J. D. Atkinson, 24341: (2) Griselinia littoralis, Westland, Harihari, Apr 1963, J. M. Dingley, 24430: (3) G. lucida, Wellington, Weraroa, Jul 1919, G. H. Cunningham, 4294: (4) Hedycarya arborea, Auckland, Purewa, Aug 1950, D. W. McKenzie, 24343; (5) Leptospermum sp., Muriwai, May 1946, G. H. C., 4588; (6) unknown host, Waipoua State Forest, Apr 1964, R.F.R. McN., 24431.

Fructifications gelatinous, at first irregularly pustulate, becoming foliaceous, to 5 cm in longest dimension, to 3.5 cm high, lobes caespitose, thin, margins crenate or occasionally incised, undulate, semi-translucent to opaque white when fresh, drying pallid creamy yellow. Internal hyphae slightly thick-walled, hyaline, clamp connections present. Hymenium amphigenous, composed of basidia; probasidia broadly elliptical, obovate or subglobose, with basal clamp connections, borne on fertile hyphae with short, broad, irregular cells, 10.5-16.7 x 8.7-13 µm, becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata cylindrical, to 60 x 3µm, occasionally expanded apically to 4.5 µm. Basidiospores broadly ovate, often flattened on one side, hyaline, apiculate, 6.8-9.5 x 4.8-6.2 µm. Germination by repetition. Hymenial conidia not seen.

>Angiosperm bark and wood.

Bandoni, Lloydia 21: 143, f. 8. 1958.

New Zealand specimens agree closely with Bandoni's (1958, p. 144) description of the type, although hymenial conidia described by Bandoni and Olive (1948, p. 592) was not observed.
Tremella fuciformis is the only white, foliose Tremella known to occur in this country. It was recorded from New Zealand by Lloyd (1921, p. 1073).

Panure, Brazil.

On dead bark and wood of (1) Coprosma robusta, Auckland, Huia, Aug 1963, J. M. Dingley, 24363; (2) Griselinia lucida, Palmerston North, Jul 1919, G. H. Cunningham, 338; (3) Neopanax arboreum, Waitakere Ranges, Anawhata, Jun 1954. J. M. D., 23919; (4) Pittosporum tenuifolium, Anawhata, Aug 1947, J. M. D., 5599; (5) Primus armeniaca, Christchurch, Jul 1950, J. Hume, 23918; (6) Salix sp., Nelson, Karamea, Jan 1964, R.F.R. McN., 24365; . (7) Weinmannia racemosa, Mt Egmont, Feb 1952, G. H. C., 24366; (8) unknown host, Waitakere Ranges, Cutty Grass Track, Jun 1961, R.F.R. McN., 24362.

Fructifications firm-gelatinous, at first pustulate, becoming complicate, gyrose, cerebriform or bluntly lobate to 8 cm in longest dimension, to 3.5 cm high, variable in colour, pallid yellow to orange. Internal hyphae relatively thick-walled, hyaline, clamp connections present. Hymenium composed of conidiophores or basidia, or both; conidiophores branched, septate, bearing globose to oval, hyaline conidia, to 4.1 x 2.8 µm, probasidia broadly elliptical to oval, with basal clamp connections, 15.5-22.5-(26) x 13.5-19.5 µm. becoming longitudinally cruciate-septate; sterigmata cylindrical, 2-3 µm diam., occasionally expanded apically. Basidiospores subglobose, broadly ovate or obovate, hyaline, apiculate, 10.5-15.5 x 7.4-9.9 µm. Germination by repetition.

Angiosperm bark and wood.

Coker, J. Elisha Mitchell scient. Soc. 35: pl. 23, f. 2. pl. 41, f. 5. pl. 57, f. 1-4. 1920; Looney, Stud. nat. Hist. Iowa Univ. 15 (1): pl. 2, 3. 1933.

The taxonomic treatment of Looney (1933, p. 28) and Olive (1947, p. 95) is adopted and Tremella mesenterica regarded as a synonym of T. lutescens, Martin (1952, p. 75) restricted the name T. lutescens to pallid yellow forms lacking conidia and retained T. mesenterica for those forms producing both conidia and basidia. The microscopical differences between these two forms observed by Martin were not apparent in New Zealand material.
T. lutescens was first recorded from New Zealand by Cooke (1879, p. 57). Two collections at Kew from the localities cited by Cooke ("Maungaroa, N.Z." and "Winton, N.Z.") both appear to be correctly identified, although the former is sterile. T. lutescens var. alba Berk. was recorded from New Zealand by Colenso (1886, p. 306) but the place and date of publication of this variety cannot be traced. It is possibly a herbarium name. A collection at Kew labelled "var. alba" (Colenso bl23) is probably T. fuciformis rather than T. lutescens.
T. mesenterica was recorded from New Zealand by Cooke (1879, p. 57). The collection cited by Cooke cannot be traced at Kew. T. lutescens may be distinguished by the large, yellow to orange fructifications and is not uncommon during autumn and winter.

Europe.