FUNGI FROM PALMS .30. NOTES ON AMPHISPHAERIA SPECIES DESCRIBED FROM PALMS AND A DESCRIPTION OF A-UMBRINA

Five species of Amphisphaeria (Amphisphaeriaceae, Ascomycota) describe d from palms are examined and compared with the type species, Amphisph aeria umbrina, which is redescribed and illustrated. In Amphisphaeria globose ascomata are immersed under an erumpent darkened clypeus with a central ostiole. Paraphyses are hypha-like, very irregular, numerous , septate and embedded in a gelatinous matrix. Asci are 8-spored, cyli ndrical, pedicellate, unitunicate and apically rounded, with a J+, dis coid, subapical ring. Ascospores are ellipsoidal, brown, equally bicel lular, smooth-walled and may be sheathed in mucilage. Bleptosporium pl eurochaetum has been found in association with Amphisphaeria argentine nsis, but there is no published proven connection. Of the so far descr ibed palmicolous species, Amphisphaeria arengae and A. palmicola are r eidentified as Seynesia nobilis, A. phoenicis is Kirschsteiniothelia a ethiops, A. serrulata is Arecophila serrulata, while the identity of A . cocoes is uncertain.