TRIMMATOSTROMA ABIETIS SP-NOV (HYPHOMYCETES) AND RELATED SPECIES

Trimmatostroma abietis from the needles of conifers and from stone, mo stly in Germany, is described. On the natural substrate it is characte rized by stromatic conidiomata. Conidia are mostly two-celled, are arr anged in long chains, and originate by intercalary dilatation of ferti le hyphae. The wide morphological plasticity of the fungus and its phy siological profile are described. Its occurrence as a saprophyte and p ossibly opportunistic pathogen on plants and as an invader of environm ents with low water activity, particularly stone surfaces, are discuss ed. Relationships with other taxa are outlined.