Coloniae atrae superficiales. Mycelium dematiaceum ex hyphis superficialibus, repentibus, cylindricis et hyphis erectis, distinctis, variabilibus. Latioribus, simplicibus vel ramosis, sterilibus vel fertilibus, vel parte sterile et parte fertile. Conidia singula ex apice hyphae fertilis (conidiophorae) simplicis vel ramosae oriunda, Obclavata, dematiacea, multiseptata.

Nine collections of a pleomorphic sooty mould on the bark of living Ackama rosaefolia A. Cunn., Hoheria populnea A. Cunn., Pseudopanax arboreus (Murr.) Philipson, Olearia rani (A. Cunn.) Druce, and of an unidentified tree, from New Zealand, produce superficial, repent, cylindrical hyphae from which arise a velutinous growth of distinct erect hyphae bearing paired, lateral, upwardly curved branches. Terminal, brown, blastic phragmoconidia develop on simple or sparingly branched erect conidiophores or on one or more branches of otherwise sterile erect hyphae: this state is described as the type of a new form genus Capnokyma. A Hormisciomyces phialidic state is borne on the erect hyphae.

Typus: Capnokyma corticola sp. nov.