Strigula novae-zelandiae is a species of foliicolous lichenised fungi in the family Strigulaceae. It is endemic to New Zealand, found northwards from the northern Waikato Region, and primarily grows on taraire leaves.
Description
Strigula novae-zelandiae is typically pale green to ash green in colour, turning to white when dead. It has a smooth or slightly irregular surface and does not have a prothallus. It can be distinguished from other Strigula species in New Zealand due to the presence of polarilocular spores, and from Strigula oleistrata due to the lack of almost circular thalli or perithecia in Strigula novae-zelandiae. == Taxonomy ==
Taxonomy
The lichen was formally described as a new species by Tumkur R. Nag Raj in 1982, who used the name Discosiella novae-zelandiae. The holotype was collected from Kirk's Bush in Papakura, Auckland in 1973. In 2019, the visually similar species Strigula oleistrata was segregated from Strigula novae-zelandiae and described as a new species, based on phylogenetic analysis and morphological differences. == Distribution and habitat ==
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to New Zealand, currently only known to occur in New Zealand as far south as the northern Waikato Region. It is found primarily in taraire-dominated forests, and is foliicolous, growing on the leaves of taraire, tawa and titoki trees. ==Gallery==