Checklist of fungi on nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida and R. baueri var. cheesemanii), in New Zealand

• Published in: New Zealand journal of botany Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 335 - 355
• Main Authors: Mckenzie, E.H.C., Buchanan, P. K., Johnston, P. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 01.06.2004
• Subjects: biodiversity; Mycothele; nikau palm; pathogens; Rhopalostylis baueri var. cheesemanii; Rhopalostylis sapida; saprobes; New Zealand
• ISSN: 0028-825X; 1175-8643
• DOI: 10.1080/0028825X.2004.9512908

A brief account of fungi associated with nikau (Rhopalostylis sapida and R. baueri var. cheesemanii), in New Zealand is followed by an annotated listing of all fungi known to grow on living or dead parts of these endemic palms. Records have been gleaned mainly from the New Zealand Fungal Collection (PDD) and its associated database, and from the literature. The fungi include only a few pathogens. Most fungi associated with Rhopalostylis are saprobes found on dead and fallen leaves, especially on the large leaf sheath. A total of 147 named species of fungi and 50 species identified only to genus, distributed within 134 genera, have been recorded. Many of the fungi are commonly found on other plant substrata within New Zealand, or elsewhere. Twenty-four species have been described with R. sapida as the type substratum, and of these 17 are known only on R. sapida, including the corticioid, monotypic genus, Mycothele.