Callitris cupressiformis Vent. Auckland, Huia, October, 1953, J.M.Dingley. Dacrydium cupressinum Sol. Auckland. Mairoa Forest, Wairakei, March, 1953, J.M.Dingley. Leptospermum ericoides A.Rich. Auckland, Cornwallis, November, 1952, J.D.Atkinson, type collection, P.D.D. herbarium, No. 11859. Leptospermum scoparium Forst. Auckland, Anawhata Road, Waitakeres, 1,000 ft., October, 1946, August, 1949, J.M.Dingley. Leucopogon fascicularis (Forst.f.) A.Rich. Auckland, Cornwallis, September, 1953, J.D.Atkinson.

Hymenophore annual, adnate, membranous, effused forming irregular colonies to 5 x 2 cm., with numerous outlying islands; surface cream, sometimes pallid pink, buff, or pallid plum, becoming creviced exposing the white context; margin thinning out, fibrillose, adnate, white. Context 80-150 µ thick, white, composed of a thick basal layer of closely arranged parallel hyphae, a narrow intermediate layer of woven mainly upright hyphae, and scattered crystals; generative hyphae to 3 µ diameter, wall 0.25 µ thick, branched, septate, with clamp connections. Hymenial layer to 60 µ deep, of basidia, paraphyses, gloeocystidia and dichophyses. Basidia subclavate, 35-44 x 7-9 µ, 4-spored; sterigmata upright, slender, to 8 µ long. Paraphyses subclavate, about half the size of the basidia. Gloeocystidia abundant, confined to the hymenial region, projecting to 64 µ, cylindrical with rounded apices, 40-80 x 7-10 µ, wall 1 µ thick. Dichophyses confined to the hymenial region, staining deeply, 12-24 µ across, several times branched, ultimate branchlets 0.5-2 µ long. Spores fusiform, lacrimiform, or pyriform with bluntly acuminate apex and long acuminate base, apiculate, 11-16 x 5.5-7 µ, often adhering in fours, wall smooth, hyaline, 0.25 µ thick.

DISTRIBUTION. New Zealand.

HABITAT. Effused on bark of dead branches.

Hymenophorum adnatum, membranaceum, effusum; superficie cremea, interdum pallide rosea vel bubalina, rimosa ; margine albo, fibrilloso, adnato. Contextus 60-150 µ crassus, albus. Basidia subclavata, 35-44 x 7-9 µ. Gloeocystidia in regione hymenii modo reperta, ad 64 µ eminentia, cylindrata, apicibus rotundis, 40-80 x 7-10 µ, parietibus 1 µ crassus. Dichophyses hyalini, 12-24 µ, libere ramosi. Sporae fusiformes, lacrimiformes vel piriformes, 11-16 x 5.5-7 µ, hyalinae, laeves.

Resembling V. fusispora in macrofeatures and shape of the spores, the species may be separated by the projecting gloeocystidia which are confined to the hymenial region, different dichophyses, and thick basal layer of the context. Gloeocystidia are abundant and project for the greater part of their length, well above the basidia. Because of this unusual feature the specific name has been given. Dichophyses are more scantily developed, possess shorter lateral branches than others described, and are confined to the upper part of the hymenial region. The thick, compact layer of parallel hyphae forming the basal layer of the context is also an unusual feature. Basidia of this and the following species [V. fusispora] are subclavate. Spores are formed when basidia are fully exerted and remain attached, often in fours, after basidia have collapsed. Two collections possess a pink surface which in parts may be pinkish-buff or pallid plum colour; as in other features they agree with the type they are considered to be colour forms only.

Leptospermum ericoides A.Rich. Auckland, Cornwallis, November, 1952, J.D.Atkinson, type collection, P.D.D. herbarium, No. 11859