North American Species of Nummularia

SUMMARY

The history of the genus is reviewed. The name Nummularia Tul., with Sphaeria discincola Schw. as the type species, is tentatively adopted. Nummularia Tul. emended J. H. Miller differs from Hypoxylon and other allied genera in having a cupulate stroma with a thick basal tissue consisting of decomposed wood mixed with hyphae under the perithecia. Of 147 described species, J. H. Miller recognized only 11 species in the genus, of which three known from North America and a new species are the subject of this investigation. Nummularia broomeiana, N. discincola, N. repanda and N. signata are described in detail and illustrated. A key to these species is presented. Nummularia signata Jong & Benjamin is described for the first time. It is basically similar to N. broomeiana; both are the only xylariaceous fungi known to produce echinulate ascospores without germ slits.