Karsten's Type Specimens of Hysteriaceae on Conifers

Abstract

Certain specimens collected by Karsten have been examined with attention to associated conidial stages as well as features which he described.1 One, Hysterium sphaeriodes Karst., a species which has been collected but once in the United States (White Mountains; on wood of Betula), is discussed in a previous paper (15). Of those with a coniferous substratum several are of particular interest for their occurrence in North America or for their conidial status (Gloniella amnbigua, now referred to Hysterium; Lophium laeviusculumn and L. mytilinum, both of the genus Mytilidion). Karsten treats the Hysteriaceae in three of his general works (6, 7, 9), admirably combining in his descriptions, as Hintikka states (5), detail of diagnostic features with clarity and brevity in exposition. The descriptions of new species in the first are republished by Rabenhorst (16). In general his species for Finland and Lapland have not been reported elsewhere in Europe, or the names as synonyms have received varied or inconsistent treatment. Only recently has American material been so identified, and then usually with some question. As to Mytilidion Karstenii Sacc. (Lophium mytilinum), which is not uncommon on pine wood and bark in New England, it is interesting to note that in the early American compilations Cooke (2) reports no collections suggestive of the species, but Ellis (3) possibly refers some to M. fusisporum (Cooke) Sacc.