Ascocarps intraepidermal. In vertical section upper stromatal layer 15-30 µm wide, comprising pseudoparenchymatous, thin walled cells, 5-8 µm diam., cells dark brown to carbonaceous around opening of ascocarp, paler brown near outer edge. An extra layer of hyaline, gelatinous cells is present between the upper stromatal layer and the covering host tissue in immature ascocarps. This layer is often not visible in mature ascocarps. Lower stromatal layer separate from upper, 8-15 µm wide, of 2-4 layers of dark brown, thick walled, globose cells, 4-10 µm diam. Subhymenium 10-15 µm wide, of hyaline, thin walled cells. Layer of gelatinised tissue up to 40 µm wide developing between subhymenium and lower stromatal layer, and sometimes also present on the inside of the upper stromatal layer. Excipulum-like structure becoming well developed, arising from the layer of gelatinised tissue, up to 40-80 µm wide, elements 1.5-2.5 µm diam., closely septate and often capped by a dark brown substance.

Paraphyses 1.5-2 µm diam., gradually becoming wider toward apex, up to 2.5-4.5 µm diam., not branching, extending 15-25 µm beyond asci. Asci 131-163 x 7- 10 µm, cylindric, basal stalk short and broad, tapering to a rounded to slightly truncate apex. Ascus wall slightly thickened at apex, 1.5-2 µm thick, with a small apical pore, non-amyloid, 8-spored. Ascospores 90-119 x 1.5-2.2 µm, tapering to basal end, 0-1 septate, straight when released, well-developed gelatinous sheath.

Pycnidia intraepidermal, flat, lenticular in shape, lower wall of dark brown, angular cells, upper wall absent or comprising a few, scattered, pale brown cells. Conidiogenous layer lining the lower wall, comprising a palisade of solitary, cylindric to flask-shaped, hyaline, sympodial, conidiogenous cells, 12-18 x 2-3 µm. Sterile elements, filiform and slightly swollen at the apices, connected by hyphal bridges near bases, 45-80 x 2-2.5 µm, intermixed with the conidiogenous cells. Conidia short-cylindric, rounded ends, hyaline, 0-septate, 4.5-6.5 x 1-1.2 µm.

ETYMOLOGY: cupressinum; refers to host plant.

The ascocarps of C. cupressinum look superficially similar to those of C. araucariae Butin & Speer and C. radiatus Sherwood. C. araucariae (Brasil, Vossoroca, Porana, on Araucaria angustifolia, H. Butin, E. Speer, 11.IX. 1976 - Holotype, ZT) differs in ascus and ascospore size, and in excipular structure. C. radiatus lacks the layer of gelatinised tissue found between the stroma and hymenium in C. cupressinum, has a different excipular structure, and narrower asci.

Two rhytismataceous species have been described from Podocarpaceae - Hypoderma podocarpi Butin from Podocarpus species in Chile (Butin 1970), and Lophodermellina dacrydii Sydow from Dacrydium sp. in Borneo (Sydow 1921) but this is the first record of Coccomyces on Podocarpaceae.

Also found on Dacrydium in New Zealand is a Hypoderma-like species. which is very similar to Hypoderma podocarpi in ascocarp shape and appearance, with both having more or less round ascocarps and white lip cells along the opening slits. The New Zealand species differs from H. podocarpi in having larger asci and ascospores, and 4-spored asci.