Melampsora novaezelandiae
Family
Melampsoraceae, Basidiomycetes
Flora category
Fungi – Native
Distribution
Coromandel, Buller, Dunedin
Detailed description
Only one kind of spore (urediniospore) is produced. These are formed in pustules (uredinia) that are found on the lower leaf surface, seated on discoloured, orbicular spots, 0.5–2 mm in diameter. The uredinia are scattered or more regularly arranged in circinnate groups. They are erumpent, surrounded by the ruptured epidermis, orange, but fading to pale ochraceous. The urediniospores are subglobose, 16–20 µm diameter with 6–8 scattered, obscure germ pores. The epispore is hyaline, 3–3.5 µm thick, and moderately and finely verruculose. Numerous hyaline, capitate paraphyses are intermixed in the pustules.
Fruiting
Known from only three collections made in February 1928, and a single collection in October 1945.
Substrate
This rust is an obligate parasite on leaves of Euphorbia glauca.
Where held
PDD (holotype), BPI (isotype)
Extant collections
4
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