Based on my collection lodged at PDD (PDD 107535) Dr Peter Johnston (New Zealand expert on Daldinia) has determined the taxon I collected as Daldinia dennisii var. microspora
Peter de Lange
2015-07-27
2015-07-27
New Zealand, Chatham Islands, Chatham Islands group, Rangatira (South East Island), KC Track
Carbonised botryoidal balls erupting from portions of decorticated wood on otherwise healthy Myrsine chathamica. The 'balls' up to 60 mm diameter, solitary or in clusters of 2-3(-4), external surface glossy, finely porous, covering hands and skin in fine 'soot' when handled, bases lustrous, comprised of concentric rings of growth. Otherwise seen on Plagianthus regius subsp. chathamicus, hoho (Pseudopanax chathamicus) and dead karaka (Corynocarpus laevigatus) on this island and on the same hosts on Rekohu (Chatham Island). Specimens collected (PdL CH2522) and lodged in PDD (PDD 107535).