TYPE. UNITED STATES. NEW JERSEY, [Gloucester County], Newfield, 1887, J.B. Ellis s.n. (NY 00927948, Lectotype designated by R. Owen, 1994; NY 00927946, paratype)

Description. Lichenicolous fungus.

Thallus absent. Ascomata perithecia, globose, 80-160 μm diam., smooth or roughened with scattered, rudimentary, glandular-like hairs, subastomous, of fine cellular texture, pale becoming orange-red. Asci broad clavate, 35-40 x 10-12 μm, 8-spored, irregularly arranged; paraphyses absent.  Ascospores hyaline to brownish, oblong-cylindrical, 1-septate, constricted at septum, distinctively curved, 14-18 x 2.5-3.0 μm.

Substrate and Habitat. Lichenicolous on a variety of crustose (e.g., Aspiclia, Micarea) and foliose (e.g., Parmelia, Parmotrema) lichens in forests.

Distribution. Eastern North America; in North Carolina the species is recorded from the coast and mountain regions; it likely occurs throughout the state.

Literature

Cole, M.S. & D.L. Hawksworth. (2001) Lichenicolous fungi, mainly from the USA, including Patriciomyces gen. nov. Mycotaxon 77: 305-338.

Ellis, J.B. & B.M. Everhart. (1887) Additions to Hypocreaceae. Journal of Mycology 3(10): 113-116 (original description as Nectria rubefasciens).

Sérusiaux, E., P. Diederich, A.M. Brand & P. van den Boom. (1999) New or interesting lichens and lichenicolous fungi from Belgium and Luxembourg. VIII. Lejeunia 162: 1-95 (description as Trichonectria rubefaciens).