On dead bark and wood of (1) Lophomyrtus bullata, Hamilton, Claudelands Reserve, Jan. 1954, G. H. Cunningham; (2) Metrosideros excelsa, Coromandel, Dec. 1946, J. M. Dingley; (3) Nothofagus fusca, Ahaura, Orwel Creek, 26 April 1955, J. M. Dingley (2 collections); (4) N. menziesii, Queenstown, 3 Dec. 1919, G. H. Cunningham (ISOTYPE, PDD 542); (5) N. solandri var. cliffortioides, Lake Rotoiti, 26 April 1956, S. D. & P. J. Brook.

Fructifications arid, indeterminate, pallid cream when fresh, changing little on drying, effused, forming irregular areas up to 6 cm in extent, 0.5-l mm thick, surface pulverulent or pruinose, creviced when old. In section composed of two poorly differentiated regions, lower region coin-posed of ascending hyphae with slightly thickened walls, 4-5.5 µm diam.; upper region composed of coiled, compactly arranged hyphae, 2-5-3.5 µm diam., spirally coiled apically; hyphae of both regions sparingly septate, clamp connections present. Probasidia arising laterally from intercalary primordial cells, thin-walled, clavate, straight or curved, often constricted in one to several places, 50-80 x 7-12 µm. Metabasidia arising from base of probasidia or from upper portion of primordial cells, subclavate, transversely 3-septate, 35-55 x 8-10-5µm.; sterigmata to 10 µm long. Basidiospores ovoid, slightly flattened on one side, hyaline, apiculus truncated, 10-16 x 7-9.5 µm. Germination by repetition.

Angiosperm bark and wood.

Couch, Mycologia 41: 436, f. 15-23. 1949.

Helicogloea alba was first described by Burt as a species of Septobasidium but was excluded from that genus by Couch (1938, p. 295) on the grounds that it was not associated with scale insects on living plants.
As pointed out by Couch Helicogloea alba agrees with the description of H. contorta Baker in many respects, but the two species apparently differ in texture. H. contorta is described as floccose whereas the texture of H. alba is corticioid. Macroscopically, H. alba closely resembles Scytinostroma portentosum (Berk. & Curt.) Donk.

TYPE LOCALITY:
New Zealand.