The following plants are compiled in the section Thamnomyces in
Saccardo. None of them are true Thamnomyces, and most of them could go
into Fries' genera Rhizomorpha. I do not believe, however, it is
possible to keep Rhizomorpha separate from Xylaria. The type species
Xylaria setosa is quite different from the normal type of Xylarias in
having entirely carbonous, filiform stems and superficial perithecia,
but both of these features merge into Xylaria through so many
intermediate species that there is no drawing the line of demarcation.
[Illustration: #Fig. 853.#]
XYLARIA SETOSA (Fig. 853).--Stem densely fasciculate, filiform, black,
entirely carbonous. Perithecia ovate, sparse, rarely developed. Spores
(teste Fuckel), ovoid, dark, 10 × 16 mic.
This is a rare plant in Europe, growing on old sacks, matting, carpets,
and similar refuse. It is generally found in cellars. I think it is not
known on wood nor recorded in the United States. It resembles carbonized
horse hair and was called "horse hair usnea" by old Dillenius. Our
photograph of the specimen at Kew will give a good idea of it, although
from the account it grows erect, and is not matted. Both Bulliard and
Sowerby gave characteristic figures, both from plants growing in
cellars, on old mats. It has had a great number of names, and is
recorded in Saccardo as Xylaria hippotrichoides, the specific name
proposed by Sowerby and used by Persoon. Some very recent juggler, I
have forgotten who, dug up the old name setosa, which I adopt as being
less cumbersome. Occasionally these jugglers do propose some improvement
in names, and I believe in encouraging them, when their wonderful date
dictionary discoveries are really better names. Saccardo gives the
following synonyms: Sphaeria hippotrichoides, Ceratonema
hippotrichoides, Hypoxylon loculiferum, Rhizomorpha tuberculosa,
Cryptothamnium usneaeforme, Rhizomorpha setiformis, Chaenocarpus
setosus, Chaenocarpus Simonini. The date expert must have had quite a
job.
Xylaria adnata as described by Fuckel (Rhizomorpha adnata), and
unknown to me, is evidently very similar to the preceding plant,
but grows closely adnate to rotten beech wood.
Xylaria fragilis (Rhizomorpha fragilis) is imperfectly known
from old records in Europe. It is probably same as above.
Xylaria hispidissima (Rhizomorpha hispidissima) from East Indies
is known only from old description. It is an evident Xylaria and
seems to be same as recently collected, adventitious in a hot
house in Hungary, and distributed as Xylaria hungarica.
Xylaria annulata, described in 1820 from West Indies as
Thamnomyces annulatus and unknown otherwise, reads like
Thamnomyces chardalis, but the branches of the latter are not
known to be "annulated under a lens."
[Illustration: #Fig. 854.#]
XYLARIA ANNULIPES, described and figured by Montagne as Thamnomyces
annulipes from Brazil, is same as since named Xylaria marasmoides (Fig.
854) by Berkeley. Berkeley does not mention the rings on the stem as
shown so plainly in Montagne's enlarged figure, nor can I note them with
a lens on my photograph of Berkeley's or Montagne's types. Spegazzini
refers marasmoides as a synonym for annulipes, no doubt correctly.
Theissen refers it as a synonym for Xylaria aristata, an evident error.
Xylaria vermiculus, recently published from Brazil by Sydow, as
"Saccardo n. sp. in litt.," is, both from description and photograph,
evidently the same as Xylaria annulipes.
[Illustration: #Fig. 855.#]
XYLARIA MELANURA (Fig. 855), West Indies, described as Chaenocarpus
melanurus and compiled in Saccardo in section Thamnomyces, is evidently
same as Xylaria gracillima in sense of Berkeley and Montagne, but not I
believe as to Fries. We present a photograph made from Léveillé's
cotype.
Xylaria axillaris was not compiled in Thamnomyces in Saccardo,
but is evidently a very similar if not the same plant as Xylaria
setosa, and is only known from Currey's original account from
Africa. It is about a half inch high, with filiform stem, and
few, superficial perithecia. Spores are given as 25 to 32 mic.,
which are much larger than those of setosa.
Xylaria patagonica as named by Crombie as Thamnomyces and
compiled in Saccardo, Vol. 9, was based on Dillenius' old (1741)
figure t. 13, f. 11, from Patagonia, which, as far as the figure
goes, could be Xylaria setosa. Of course, nothing as known about
it.
Xylaria Schwackei, named by Hennings from Brazil, seems from
description to be Xylaria melanura.
Xylaria Warburgii, named by Hennings from New Guinea, seems from
the crude figure to be Xylaria carpophila.
Xylaria luzonensis, named from Philippines by Hennings, seems
from crude figure to be Xylaria multiplex in original sense of
Fries (not Thiessen).
* * * * *
[Illustration: #Fig. 856.# Engleromyces Goetzei.]