Neobulgaria identification

[RobSutton]

Found this growing on Beech at Malham Tarn, at first I thought it was a Tremella or something similar but under the microscope it was very obvious that it was an Asco. of some sort. The only thing I could come up with was Neobulgaria pura var foliacea. Does this seem a likely ID?





The conventional form of Neobulgaria pura (commonly known as Beech Jellydisc) was growing on the same fallen trunk though on a different branch. It does seem odd that it's only a var when it looks so different to the conventional form. I did look at Ascotremella faginea but rejected this as the tips of the asci did blue with Melzers reagent.

[Chris Yeates]

hi Rob

I think you're spot on with foliacea; you've done the microscopy and the blue ascus tip is clear; if the spores are the right size (6-9 microns approx in length) then that surely clinches it

if you are happy that's what it is - keep a specimen! I've just checked the records and think this is new to Yorkshire; even plain Neobulgaria pura has only around 20 records in the county

cheers

Chris

[leifus]

yes Ive looked at M.Jordan and you seem to be correct

[RobSutton]

Originally Posted by Chris Yeates

hi Rob

I think you're spot on with foliacea; you've done the microscopy and the blue ascus tip is clear; if the spores are the right size (6-9 microns approx in length) then that surely clinches it

cheers

Chris

The scale in the Ascus photo is almost exactly one small division = 1 micron so spore size is about right too. As always I'm wary that there may be other things that don't appear in my books (FoS, Jordan, Phillips etc) that could cause confusion.

Thanks once again Chris.