Hello,

After three or four years of seeing this fungus, and not being able to identify it, I turn to you all for help. It grows on old decorticated branches of Sorbus decora, and sometimes apple as well, in very dry and bleached areas of the wood, usually accompanied by Propolis farinosa, Cryptodiscus pallidus and Agyrium rufum. It is common in the winter.

The ascomata are green and erumpent through the uppermost layer of the wood. They start with a small pore like a pyrenomycete but later open widely like Cryptodiscus. The asci are unitunicate (I think) and do not have conspicuous apical structures. The living asci do not have any bluing in Lugol's, although the contents become orange. There are inconspicuous croziers. In the picture they are shown in Shear's Mounting Medium with Ink Blue.

The ascospores are 4 to 8 per ascus, hyaline, smooth and transversely 3-septate. Occasionally there is an oblique septum, but this is uncommon. They measure about 18-19 X 6-7 µm.

Does anyone recognize this fungus?

Regards,

Dave