3 HOST-SPECIFIC XYLARIA SPECIES

Xylaria axifera is apparently related to X. comosa, and although it is restricted to the petioles of plants in the Araliaceae, it apparently does not invade its host until after the petioles have fallen. The de scription of X. axifera is emended to account for this host specificit y and to include distinctive characteristics not provided in the origi nal description. Two new, closely related Xylaria species that are onl y found on litter from trees in the Meliaceae (X. meliacearum on petio les and X. guareae on branches) are also described.