Ascocarps in vertical section initially subepidermal with a layer comprising rows of hyaline, vertically oriented, cylindric cells surrounding the developing hymenium. As ascocarps mature the lowermost of these cells become dark brown, and a separate upper wall, comprising dark brown, thick-walled cells, develops within the host epidermis. A narrow extension to the upper wall near the ascocarp opening, comprising dark tissue with no obvious cellular structure covers top of the hymenium.

Paraphyses 1-2 µm diam., undifferentiated at apices, extending 15-20 µm beyond asci. Asci 75-105 x 8-10.5 µm, cylindric to subsaccate, apex broadly truncate, wall not thickened, 8-spored. Ascospores 45-70 x (1.5-)2-2.5 µm, 0-1 septate, narrow gelatinous sheath, curving on release. Pycnidia-like structures in vertical section lenticular in shape, upper wall more or less obsolete, lower wall of 2-3 layers of dark brown, thick-walled cells. Conidia and conidiogenous cells not seen.

ETYMOLOGY: asteliae; refers to host plant.

NOTES: Collections typical of L. multimatricum have also been found on Astelia. L. asteliae is easily distinguished by ascus size and shape. See notes under L. multimatricum.