Checklist of fungi on cabbage trees (Cordyline spp.) and New Zealand flaxes (Phormium spp.) in New Zealand

Abstract

A brief account of the fungi found in New Zealand on cabbage trees (Cordyline spp.) and New Zealand flaxes (Phormium spp.) is followed by an annotated listing of all fungi known to grow on living or dead parts of these endemic monocotyledonous plants. Records have been gleaned mainly from the New Zealand Fungal Herbarium (PDD) and its associated database, and from the literature. The fungi include parasites and saprobes. A total of 72 named species of fungi and 15 species identified only to genus, distributed within 72 genera, have been recorded on Cordyline. The corresponding figures for Phormium are 59 named species of fungi and 15 species identified only to genus, distributed within 54 genera. Thirteen species have been described from New Zealand with Cordyline as the type substratum and 17 with Phormium. Of these, 27 species are endemic and known only on Cordyline or Phormium. The three exceptions are Sphaeria tenacis (= Anthostomella tenacis) and Poria cordylines (= Protomerulius caryae), which occur throughout the world on various plants, and Periconiella phormii, which also occurs in Taiwan, on Dianella ensifolia. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.