Fig. 13 The type collection (COLENSO b 563) consists of fruiting bodies up to 1 cm in diam. with an often excentrically inserted stipe, growing on rotten wood. Spores slightly amygdaliform or comma-like, neither amyloid nor dextrinoid, smooth, 7.5-9.5 X 4-5 µ. According to our knowledge M. inversus is a good species of Marasmius sensu lato.

[Type specimens Kew] Type packet empty.

Gregarious or scattered. Pileus membranaceous, dry, reniform or almost circular, brownish or dingy-ochraceous, almost even and glabrous, usually inverted, so that the gills are uppermost and the pileus in contact with the substratum 3-6 mm. across ; gills adnate, distant, rather broad, sometimes forked, shorter intermediate ones present, scarcely or not at all connected by veins, pale yellowish-buff when dry; spores elliptical, 6-7 x 4 µ; stem lateral or nearly so, short, slender, coloured like the pileus, arched and standing above the pileus when the latter is inverted.

New Zealand.

On slender branches and twigs, lying on the ground.

A minute but very interesting species, sent to Kew by Colenso (no. b, 563), and was at the time referred to Marasmius spaniophyllus, Berk., from which species it is indeedtruly distinct. The last-named species must therefore be removed from the list of New Zealand Fungi. Readily distinguished by its small size and peculiar inverted habit of growth.