05-03-2026 10:07
Hulda Caroline HolteHello, I found and collected this species growing
06-03-2026 09:41
Hi forum, I'm now looking for another reference c
05-03-2026 16:30
François BartholomeeusenDear forum members, On the 2nd of February 2026,
19-02-2026 17:49
Salvador Emilio JoseHola buenas tardes!! Necesito ayuda para la ident
03-03-2026 20:34
Miguel Ángel Ribes
Good eveningThese small, amphora-shaped perithecia
Red Staining Ascomycete on Epilobium hirsutum
Peter Thompson,
24-07-2015 16:25
I have found some groups of immersed black ascomycetes which are breaking through the epidermis of an old and quite fragile stem of Epilobium hirsutum. The host tissue is distinctly reddened around the groups of fruit bodies.
The frbs are cylindrical, but somewhat flattened, and have round ostioles, which are blood red from the stain.
The species which I know to cause staining are all eliminated:
Leptospora rubella - spores filiform and much longer
Lophiostoma origani var. rubidum - ostioles of this species are slotlike
Leptosphaeria purpurea - no swollen cell present in the spores
All mature spores are 3-septate, slender, with a few drops and are almost pointed at each end. The asci contain 8 spores and their tips are blued by lugol. The excipulum is blackish brown in the upper half and greenish brown lower down. No paraphyses were seen.
I have attached a photo of the fruit bodies and a sketch of the microscopy and wonder if anyone has any suggestions as to the identity?
Thank you,
With Best WIshes,
Peter.

