
07-06-2025 15:39

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

07-06-2025 15:38

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

07-06-2025 15:38

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

07-06-2025 15:28

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

07-06-2025 15:27

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

07-06-2025 15:27

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

07-06-2025 15:26

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

07-06-2025 15:26

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

07-06-2025 15:25

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

07-06-2025 15:25

A friend sent me a few Betula seeds with tiny blac

this is the second time I have found this small fungus growing on old Digitalis purpurea stems, the first one I have seen this was in Karawankental, Austria, in May 2012. Now it is the end of October and it seems as if this species grows the whole year.
Well, just look at the photos, I have compared the two collections and they show obviously the same species. But what is it? I have tried keys to Trichonectria and Lasionectria, but everytime I thought I got it, there had been differences in spore size. Perithecia are about 0,4-0,7 mm, Wall 15-22µm, the whole surface of the perithecia has single hyaline hairs with a thickened base and 1-2 septa.
Arr I am angry about this, the species is so clearly and characteristic, but I am not able to identify it :(
Perhaps you can help me. The brown spores you see in the last photo perhaps do not belong to the "Nectria", I did not see them in the first collection.
regards,
björn
edit: I forgot the hairs: 40-50x3,5-5µm.
Very nice fungus.
Perhaps a Lasionectria closed to L. sylvana ? It seems to be different, as you said.
Are your ascospores striated ?
Alain

I did not see any striate ascospores, but perhaps I should try it again with CB. I will also try Lugol reaction.
regards
björn

I think it is Lasionectria genus but it would be useful to see a vertical section of the ascomatal wall. Are you sure of the size of perithecia? they seem very large...
Christian

here are some new photos of the wall. It seems to be 18-23µm thick and consists of flattened cells. I had also seen that the surface of the spores is striated :)
Finally I have meassured the perithecia. They are 0,15-0,35 mm.
regards,
björn

Have a nice day,
Christian
Christian, what do you think about sylvana ? Ascospores are a bit too long, aren't they ?
Is it possible for this species or could it be another sp. ?
Alain

L. sylvana is not like this, hairs are very different in size (up to 200µm long) and fasciculate
Christian?

regards,
björn

your images show the ascomatal wall in top view without section, it would be better to make a vertical section as on the attached photo ( Lasionectria sp.). You can make such section with a razor blade under a dissecting microscope. Don't worry, I'm sure that you are able to do it.
All my best,
Christian

the problem is, that I have only a x15 microscope, with this it seems to be impossible to make such a section. I have to buy a real dissecting microscope...
I will do so and will answer when I get some new photos :)
regards and thanks a lot,
björn

I understand,
Christian

nice section!
So, I think that it is Lasionectria but there is no known species which fit with your specimen.
Are the striations dehiscing from ascospore when slightly crushed under the cover slip? ?
Jacques and I have a Lasionectria sp. nov. (in press) from FWI, collected on Passiflora which would fit with yours, but it would be necessary to compare them.
Could you please to send me a part of your collection?
Christian

of course I can send you something from the collection.
regards,
björn

I would be surprised if your specimen was the same species than mine but we have to check it.
All the best,
Christian


our publication is in press, we cannot intervene any more.
I don't believe that it is the same species
Let's wait to see,
Christian

I received your specimen today, I studied it and I think that it is a new species of Lasionectria.
I cultivated it today, as soon as I will have its anamorph and molecular data, I will contact you in private.
Cheers,
Christian

many thanks for this, it is great. And I had this species twice, one new record for Austria and one also for Germany :D
regards,
björn