Ascomata of P. sedicola develop in large numbers within all three agar substrates used. They contain asci with immature and a few fully mature ascospores within ca. 3 wk when they develop on alfalfa stems placed on PCA colonies; 4 wk or longer apparently is required for maturation of large numbers of ascospores under standard conditions of culture. Mature ascomata are dark, thin-walled, subsphaeroid, ca. 350 µm diam., with a small apical, ostiolar beak. Asci are elliptical or oblong, ca. 150-170 x 30 µm, usually 8-spored. Ascospores are ca. 30 x 6 pin, strongly fusiform, when the first transverse septum forms. Ascospores remain fusiform as length and width increase to ca. 35-40 x 8-10 µm; then become broader and shorter (broadly elliptical) as they reach maximum septation at ca. 28-32 x 10-12 µm, with 7 transepta and 1-2 longitudinal or oblique septa in most or all transverse divisions. It is emphasized that developing ascospores before full septation-including minimally septate juveniles-have lengths in a 30-40 µm range; full development of the ascospore, at ca. 28-30 x 12 µm, is a process of contraction in length as the spore increases in width. Ascospore color develops from a juvenile subhyaline. to a mature dull, dilute brown. Ascospores are strongly constricted at all three primary transepta throughout the fusiform stages; constriction remains evident but less striking in the fully developed ascospore.
The anamorph Stemphylium sedicola grows well and sporulates very abundantly on Hay and V-8 agars. On PCA, however, solitary conidia are produced almost entirely on numerous short branches of long, sturdy, erect or arching hyphae that arise singly or in fascicles in concentric rings of growth; the axis hyphae commonly are as long as 1 mm, the conidiogenous branches 32-90 x 5 µm with a slightly wider tip cell. Juvenile conidia are ovoid and ca. 8-14 x 7-8 µm when the first transeptum forms; they are punctulate from the beginning of development. Conidia become broadly ellipsoid or oblong with broadly rounded base and apex; 30-35 x 18-20 µm, with 2-3 complete primary and a few partial transverse or oblique septa, 1-3 longitudinal or oblique septa inserted somewhat irregularly within transverse divisions. Conidia usually are constricted at 1-2 primary transepta, yellow-tan to medium yellow-brown, with walls smooth or usually punctate roughened overall.

Ex cultiura in agaro PCA descripta. Ascomata atrobrunnea, subglobosa, ca. 350 µm diam., pariete tenui, rostellata. Asci ellipsoidei vel oblongi, ca. 150-170 x 30 µm, plerumque octospori. Ascosporae valde fusoideae tum anguste ellipsoideae, ca. 35-40 x 8-10 µm, denique late ellipsoideae, ca. 28-32 x 10-12 µm, transverse 7-septatae, fortiter vel moderate constrictae, longitudinaliter vel oblique 1-2-septatae; initio subhyalinae, denique dilute obscure brunneolae. Conidiophora numerosa, 32-90 x 5 µm in hyphis longis, erectiusculis, arcuatis, solitariis vel fasciculatis, ad ca. 1 mm x 5 µm. Conidia ovoidea tum late ellipsoidea vel oblonga, µmdo et apice late rotundatis, 30-35 x 18-20 µm, transverse 2-3 omnino et aliquot imperfecte septata, longitudinaliter 1-3 irregulariter septata, plerumque in 1-2 transeptis primariis constrictis, dilute vel modice luteobrunneola, parietibus laevibus vel punctatis.

Etymology: Latin, Sedum + -cola, inhabiting a Sedum species.

TYPE: NEW ZEALAND. Auckland, on leaf lesions of Sedum spectabile Boreau, 18 Feb. 2000, N. Z. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries LYN 124. Dried culture of ex-conidium isolate E. G. Simmons 48-095 (Holotype: BPI 747302!). Fig. 2. Anamorphosis: Stemphylium sedicola E. G. Simmons, anam. nov.