Hello Everyone,

I have found a puzzling ascomycete with tiny spheres embedded just beneath the surface of a sedge stem, within an alder and willow carr environment. The perithecia are scattered, with ostioles just piercing the surface of their host.

The spores begin hyaline, filled with drops and with one central septum. By the time that they mature they have  become olivaceous brown with three septa. They typically measure between 35 to 37.5 x 8 um. The 8-spored asci do not react to lugol.

I have attached a photo of the fruit bodies as seen, peppering their host. Also, a photo, under immersion oil, of immature spores contained in an ascus and another showing mature spores and the structure of the excipulum.

I wonder if anyone has any idea as to which species they might be?

Thank You,
With Best Wishes,
Peter.