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 Cyttaria purdiei
BiostatusPresent in region - Indigenous. Endemic
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Caption: Fig. 1. Branch of Fagus fusca with plants of Cyttaria purdiei adhering.
2. Young plants of Cyttaria purdiei, with the spore cups or cells still covered by a thin membrane.
3. Plant with the spore cups or cells divested of their membranous covering and e |
Article: Buchanan, J. (1886) [1885]. On Cyttaria purdiei, Buch. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 18: 317 pl. 11 Wellington:.
Description: The present
interesting ephiphytic fungus, although probably abundant in New Zealand, has
not hitherto been noticed as occurring there in any scientific work. The genus
Cyttaria, to which it belongs, is
supposed to be limited in distribution to South America and Tasmania, where two
species are known and used as food. They are always found epiphytic on species of
Fagus or beech, and will probably be found wherever this family is
abundant.
The
internal cavity of this fungus has always been found empty; yet it is probable
that in the earlier stages of the plant it may be filled with a gelatinous
fluid, which is afterwards absorbed or dried up. This can only be proved by an
examination of numerous specimens in different stages of growth.
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