|
 Stemonitis smithii
BiostatusPresent in region - Indigenous. Non endemic
Article: Stephenson, S.L. (2003). Myxomycetes of New Zealand. Fungi of New Zealand. Ngā Harore o Aotearoa 3: xiv + 238 p. Hong Kong: Fungal Diversity Press.
Description: Fruiting body a stalked sporangium, occurring in small, closely packed clusters, 2.5–6.0 mm tall. Sporotheca subcylindrical, tapering to base and tip, erect, light cinnamon-drab to vinaceous fawn, 0.2 mm in diameter. Stalk jet black, shining, about two-fifths the height of the entire sporangium. Hypothallus shining, colorless to brown, contiguous for a group of sporangia. Peridium fugacious. Columella dark, becoming brown at the tip, gradually tapering and becoming dispersed into the capillitium some distance below the apex. Capillitium abundant, light brown, the threads of the interior sparingly united, the surface net delicate, the meshes small, regular, polygonal. Spores bright reddish brown in mass, pale brown or almost colourless by transmitted light, nearly smooth, 4–5 µm in diameter. Plasmodium reported as white or greenish yellow to reddish purple.
Habitat: Decaying wood.
Distribution: Recorded from Asia, Europe, North America, and South America (Martin & Alexopoulos 1969, Farr 1976). First reported from New Zealand by Martin & Alexopoulos (1969) but without naming a specific locality.
Notes: This species is considered as a variety of Stemonitis axifera in some taxonomic treatments. The two species are certainly very similar, with the primary difference being the overall smaller sporangia and smaller spores of S. smithii.
|