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Go to the NZFungi website for more indepth information on Phlebia rufa. Phlebia rufa

Synonyms

Merulius nothofagi
Merulius pallens
Merulius rufus

Biostatus

Present in region - Indigenous. Non endemic

Images (click to enlarge)

 

Caption: Fig. 3. Merulius nothofagi. Numerous resupinate colonies with plicate centres in some. x1
Caption: Phlebia rufa - cystidia from margin, BCP 2103
Owner: B.C. Paulus
Caption: Phlebia rufa, BCP 2103
Owner: B.C. Paulus
 

Article: Cunningham, G.H. (1950). New Zealand Polyporaceae. 12. The genus Merulius. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Plant Diseases Division, Bulletin 83: 12 p.
Description: Hymenophore annual. resupinate, linear or irregularly orbicular when of several solitary or fused colonies 0.5-10 cm. long, 0.5-3 cm. broad, 0.4-1 mm. thick; hymenial surface cream to pallid ochre, poroid-reticulate, reticulations sometimes reduced to warts or blunt spines, usually 1-3 per mm., to 0.5 mm. deep; margin byssoid, slightly lifting, white or cream, crenate, sometimes translucent, with a sterile border 1-2 mm. wide. Context white, coriaceous, 200-400 µ thick, lowerr part of densely woven hyphae, intermediate layer lacunar beneath the hymenium enclosing numerous large crystals; generative hyphae to 8 µ diameter, wall 2 µ thick, branched, septate, contents staining, clamp connections abundant. Hymenial layer separable, 50-100 µ deep. Basidia long-clavate, 16-24 x 4-5 µ, persistent. Gloeocystidia to 50 x 8 µ when embedded in folds of the hymenium, 80-100 x 12-16 µ in the context, contents granular, hyaline or pallid yellow, sometimes crystal-coated apically. Spores elliptical, elliptic-obovate, or allantoid, 4-5 x 1.5-2 µ, smooth, hyaline.
Habitat: HABITAT: Solitary or caespitose on bark of fallen branches.
Distribution: DISTRIBUTION: New Zealand.
Notes: In general appearance this species resembles M. tremellosus but differs in heing resupinate, not gelatinous, and in certain micro-features. Specific features are the pallid colour of the hymenium, stout generative hyphae with abundant clamp connections, small spores and presence of gloeocystidia.