over 60 collections have been examined including: New Zealand, BULLER, E. of Murchison, between 6-Mile and Matakitaki, on Pseudopanax sp., coll. Johnston (R190) et al., 16 Apr 1983 (PDD 43972). NELSON, Lake Rotoiti, on Pseudopanax sp., coll. Johnston (R43), 13 May 1982 (PDD 43246). WAIKATO, vic. Waitomo, on Beilschmiedia tawa, coll. Kendrick (KNZ167), 14 Jan 1974 (PDD 40553). TAUPO, Kaimanawa State Forest Park, Cascade Hut Tr., on Nothofagus menziesii, coll. Johnston (R428) & McKenzie, 26 Mar 1984 (PDD 46125).

South America, CHILE, Valdivia, on Nothofagus dombeyi, coll. Butin, 22 Sep 1968 (ZT - as L. hysterioides). VENEZUELA, border Dpto. Federal and Edo. Miranda, La Silla, on Clusia sp., coll. Dumont (VE-106) et al., 18 Jun 1971 (NY - filed under Propolis emarginata, which is also present on this collection).

Ascocarps subepidermal to intraepidermal. In vertical section in Immature ascocarps there are three distinct layers of tissue surrounding the developing hymenium, termed here an upper wall layer, a lower wall layer, and an inner layer. The separate upper and lower wall layers both comprising dark brown, thick-walled cells. The upper wall 10-15 µm wide, the lower wall up to about 5 µm. Between the upper and lower walls is the third, inner layer, comprising hyaline, thin-walled, cylindrical cells arranged in vertical rows. The hymenium develops within the inner layer following a breakdown of some of the vertically arranged cells near the centre of the ascocarp. In mature ascocarps the upper wall is up to 20 µm wide. There is a narrow extension to the upper wall bordering the ascocarp opening, and this covers the top of the hymenium. It consists of very dark tissue, and is oriented at right angles to the rest of the upper wall.

Paraphyses 1-2 µm diam., unswollen, branching 2-3 times near apex, extending 20-30 µm beyond asci. Asci 95-130(-150) x 6-8 µm, cylindric, tapering to rounded apex, wall not thickened at apex, 8-spored. Ascospores 75-100 x 1.5-2 µm, tapering slightly to both ends, 0-1 septate, surrounded by a narrow gelatinous sheath.

CHARACTERISTICS IN CULTURE: Ascospores from seven collections germinated on agar within 2-4 days. The appearance in culture was variable. in most isolates on oatmeal agar, colonies were 50-70 mm diam. after 3 weeks, aerial mycelium was cottony, white to pale grey, agar surface was not discoloured. Black-walled, more or less globose bodies developed near centre of colonies, mostly remaining sterile but in one collection (PDD 43259) containing immature asci. In isolates from two collections (PDD 43038 and PDD 43036) aerial mycelium was sparse, white, stringy, agar surface was brown to vinaceous-brown, with globose, black-walled pycnidia with yellowish conidial ooze present on agar surface. Pycnidia were up to 250 µm diam., wall up to 30 µm wide, pseudoparenchymatous, outermost 2-3 layers of cells with dark brown, thickened walls, otherwise of thin-walled, hyaline cells. Conidiogenous layer lined whole of the single, convoluted locule. Conidiogenous cells 10-22 x 2.5-4 µm, discrete, more or less flask-shaped, sympodial, often with two conidia held at apex. Conidia 3-7 x 0.8-1.2 µm, cylindric with rounded ends, nonseptate, hyaline.

ETYMOLOGY: multi- = many, -matricum = matrix, host; refers to large number of plant species on which this fungus is found.

NOTES: Two features distinguish L. multimatricum from other Lophodermium species found in New Zealand:
1. a layer of cylindrical cells arranged in vertical rows between the wall layers and the hymenium; and
2. ascomata which lack lip cells but which at maturity have a black, flattened area adjacent to both sides of the ascocarp opening. In vertical section this flattened area is seen as a distinct, narrow extension to the upper wall, stretching across the top of the hymenium.

Several other Lophodermium species, described from other parts of the world on various angiosperm hosts, also have these two distinctive features (see below). L. multimatricum is distinguished from these species by the shape of the paraphysis apex, by the width and shape of the ascus apex, and by the presence or absence of anamorph pycnidia.

For description, illustrations, and characteristics in culture see Johnston (1988a).

This is the most common species of Lophodermium found on native plants in New Zealand. Both macroscopic and microscopic features distinguish this species, L. asteliae, L. breve, and L. kaikawakae from other Lophodermium species found in New Zealand. All four species have a layer of cylindrical cells arranged in vertical rows surrounding the hymenium. This layer can be seen in vertical sections at all stages of ascocarp maturity. Macroscopically, the immature ascocarps often have a well developed paler zone along the future line of opening, and the mature ascocarps have a distinctive black, flattened area adjacent to both sides of the ascocarp opening.