[Notes from Kew Type specimen, PRJ 2010] Kew images.

SPECIMEN EXAMINED: WELLINGTON: Weraroa, on dead wood, Atkinson, Jul. 1919 (PDD 47412).

Stromata cylindrical to cylindrical-clavate to conical, usually with a short acute umbo extending beyond fertile portion, with abruptly narrowed stipes making up to one-half of the total length, 4 cm high x 2-3 mm broad. Immature stromata in good condition not observed. Mature stromata dull blackish-brown to blackish. Perithecia 500-700 µm diam.; ostioles umbilicate, inconspicuous. Stipes glabrous, or nearly so, and striate. Stromata roughened by remnants of peeling layer. Asci 8-spored, cylindrical, long-stipitate, but in poor condition in material examined. Apical ring of ascus J +, urn-shaped, 4.5 µm high x 3 µm broad. Ascospores (22-)23-28(-31) x (7.5-)8-9 µm, brown, one-celled or with inconspicuous cellular appendage (primary appendage) on one end, with straight to undulate germ slit slightly less than spore length, parallel to long axis of the ascospore.

DISTRIBUTION: NORTH ISLAND: Wellington.

HABITAT: On dead wood.

Cooke (1879) described X. zealandica from one specimen collected in Wellington by Travers. Ascospores were published as 32-35 x 10 µm. We examined the type specimen [New Zealand, Travers (K)] in 1979 and it strongly resembles X. apiculala. A few ascospores were measured and were 22-27 x 7-9 µm. In order to check these measurements we recently asked Dr Brian Spooner (K) to make additional measurements of ascospores. The overall size range of 18 ascospores was 21.5-27.5(-29) x (7.5-)8.0-10.0(-11.0) µm. This range agrees well with unpublished data of Dr R.W.G. Dennis generously supplied by Dr Spooner.
The status of X. zealandica is uncertain. It seems very probable that Cooke gave an incorrect size range for ascospores from the type specimen. Although the ascospores of the type specimen and our material are somewhat larger than is usually encountered in X. apiculata, the ranges greatly overlap. The possibility exists, however, that further collecting and culturing will reinforce the existence of X. zealandica as a distinct species. Thus, we tentatively accept X. zealandica herein.