New Zealand Journal of Botany

Abstract Herkogamy is the spatial separation of pollen presentation and pollen receipt within or between blossoms of an individual plant. Several classes of herkogamy are recognised; these are defined by whether all blossoms are identical (homomorphic herkogamy), all blossoms dispatch and receive pollen but reciprocal forms occur (reciprocal herkogamy), or some or all blossoms perform only one function (interfloral herkogamy). Within homomorphic herkogamy, unordered herkogamy, in which pollinator contacts with stigmas and pollen within a blossom are many and occur in no particular sequence, is distinguished from ordered herkogamy in which contacts are few and ordered. For ordered herkogamy further divisions are based on the operation of the pollination mechanism. Herkogamy is usually interpreted as a mechanism which reduces self‐fertilisation and promotes outcrossing. However, as many herkogamous plants are also self‐incompatible, it is suggested that the various classes of herkogamy also function in part or solely as mechanisms which avoid interference between pollen receipt by stigmas and pollen dispatch from anthers. Although for herkogamous blossoms these two functions are separated in space, many such flowers control pollinator behaviour so that both pollination surfaces are contacted during a single visit. In dichogamous blossoms separation of pollen dispatch and receipt is temporal rather than spatial and this difference has several important consequences for the pollination biology of dichogamous and herkogamous blossoms.

Abstract Heterostyly is a genetically controlled floral polymorphism that is known to occur in 24 families of flowering plants. The floral morphs differ reciprocally in stamen and style lengths. They often differ in pollen grain size and production, and may differ in pollen exine sculpturing, pollen colour, presence of starch in pollen, stigmatic papillae, or corolla size or morphology. There are two morphs in distylous plants and three morphs in tristylous plants. Distyly is much more common than tristyly. Tristyly is known to occur only in the Lythraceae, Oxalidaceae, and Pontederiaceae, although there are unconfirmed reports in the Connaraceae and in Hugonia of the Linaceae. In distylous plants the supergene determining floral morphology also controls a diallelic sporophytic self‐incompatibility system, so that only pollinations between morphs are compatible. Tristylous plants usually possess a two‐locus diallelic sporophytic self‐incompati‐bility system associated with the floral trimorphism, but whether or not a supergene is involved has not been demonstrated genetically. The functions of the various morphological components of the heterostylous syndrome are not well understood. The difference in style and stamen lengths in the morphs results in asymmetric pollen flow in heterostylous populations. In distylous species, the long‐styled (pin) form has a higher rate of self pollination and captures more total pollen than the short‐styled (thrum) form. Heterostyly does appear to increase disassortative pollination, as Darwin suggested, and may be selectively advantageous because it increases seed set in plants with diallelic self‐incompatibility, where many of the plants in a population are cross‐incompatible. Differences in pollen size, pollen production, and pollen storage products may have been selected to offset the effects of asymmetric pollen flow among forms, and/or to compensate for differences in style length. Current models suggest that diallelic self‐incompatibility systems evolved before the morphological differences, and that the evolution of diallelic self‐incompatibility may involve a functionally gynodioecious stage. Both distylous and tristylous systems have evolved into systems with greater inbreeding, by the loss of self‐incompatibility, the production of homostyles, or the loss of one or more morphs from self‐compatible populations. In addition, distylous systems have occasionally evolved into dioecism.

Abstract Dichogamy is the separation of the presentation of pollen and stigmas in time within a plant. It is a common but neglected feature of outcrossing angiosperms. Dichogamy has been almost universally interpreted as an outcrossing mechanism, but many dichogamous species are also self‐incompatible (and sometimes also herkogamous and/or with unisexual flowers). In outcrossing species, there is almost invariably a clash between selection to place pollen and stigmas in similar positions for effective pollination and selection to keep the androecia and gynoecia apart to avoid interference between them. We suggest that the separation of pollen and stigmas acts in general to reduce this self‐interference and it often also reduces self‐fertilisation. Mechanisms preventing self‐fertilisation primarily increase maternal fitness, whereas mechanisms avoiding self‐interference primarily promote paternal fitness. Five independent ways of subdividing dichogamy are recognised: protandry or protogyny; intrafloral or interfloral dichogamy; complete or incomplete dichogamy; various intervals between the successive presentations of pollen and stigmas; asynchronous, hemisynchronous, or synchronous dichogamy (the latter of several subtypes). In a sample of British species, protandry is almost twice as common as protogyny in biotically pollinated species but protogyny is six times as common as protandry in abiotically pollinated species. To obtain testable hypotheses of the selective forces responsible for dichogamy, four selective forces that influence whether pollen or stigmas are presented first are examined. (1) Effectiveness in avoiding self‐fertilisation; (2) Selection for prolonged pollen presentation; (3) Optimal positions for dispatching and receiving pollen; (4) Interference between stamens and carpels, involved in seven different contexts: (a) The relative ease of moving androecia and gynoecia; (b) Vertical wind‐pollinated inflorescences; (c) Vertical animal‐pollinated inflorescences; (d) Refuge, trap, and brood blossoms; (e) One type of sporophyll facilitates the presentation of the other; (f) Stamen signals or rewards; (g) Post‐presentation changes in flowers. The most important factor overall may be the relative ease of moving stamens and carpels after they have functioned. For many species there may be a combination of selective causes of the direction of dichogamy. Besides pollen‐stigma interference, other types of interference (in which two activities obstruct each other because they have the same optima) and conflicts (in which two activities have divergent optima) occur in plants.

Abstract Changes in the nomenclature of indigenous New Zealand angiosperms and gymnosperms since 1960 are listed, and commentary on some name changes is included. Names of new taxa published here are: Anaphalis keriensis (Cunn.) C. Webb, A. rupestris C. Webb, A. subrigida (Colenso) C. Webb, Brachyglottis kirkii (Kirk) C. Webb, B. kirkii var. angustior (Allan) C. Webb, B. turneri (Cheeseman) C. Webb, Chionochloa defracta Connor, C. lanea Connor, Convolvulus verecundus Petrie subsp. waitaha W. Sykes, Cortaderia turbaria Connor, Crassula hunua A.P. Druce, C. mataikona A.P. Druce, C. ruamahanga A.P. Druce, C. tetramera (Toelken) A.P. Druce et W.R. Sykes, Geniostoma rupestre Forst. et Forst. f. var. ligustrifolium (Cunn.) Conn, Gnaphalium polylepis (D. Drury) C. Webb, G. ruahinicum (D. Drury) C. Webb, Isolepis distigmatosa (C.B. Clarke) Edgar, Kunzea ericoides (A. Rich.) J. Thompson var. linearis (Kirk) W. Harris, K. ericoides var. microflora (G. Simpson) W. Harris, K. sinclairii (Kirk) W. Harris, Melicytus alpinus (Kirk) Garnock‐Jones, M. angustifolius (DC.) Garnock‐Jones, M. chathamicus (F. Muell.) Garnock‐Jones, M. crassifolius (Hook. f.) Garnock‐Jones, M. obovatus (Kirk) Garnock‐Jones, Pachystegia minor (Cheeseman) Molloy, P. rufa Molloy, Ranunculus altus Garnock‐Jones, R. brevis Garnock‐Jones, R. membranifolius (Kirk) Garnock‐Jones, R. mirus Garnock‐Jones, R. reflexus Garnock‐Jones, R. scrithalis Garnock‐Jones, R. simulans Garnock‐Jones, Rytidosperma australe (Petrie) Connor et Edgar, R. pumilum (Kirk) Connor et Edgar, Senecio glaucophyllus Cheeseman subsp. toa C. Webb, S. radiolatus F. Muell. subsp. antipodus (Kirk) C. Webb, Streblus banksii (Cheeseman) C. Webb. Podocarpus cunninghamii, attributed to Colenso, is not a correct name and should not be substituted for Podocarpus hallii Kirk.

Abstract Patterns of regional endemism, vicariance, and disjunction in New Zealand higher plants are reviewed. These are discussed in relation to the post‐Oligocene history of the geology, climate, and vegetation. Previous explanations for such distribution patterns have ccntred on the disruptive effects of ice and severe climates during the Last Glaciation, and subsequent migration of plants from glacial refugia during the postglacial. It is concluded that these explanations arc largely inadequate. It is suggested that many endemic, vicariant, and disjunct plant distributions are related to the large‐scale modification of the New Zealand land mass which has occurred as a result of active tectonism since the Oligocene. The more stable regions of New Zealand (in particular Northland, northwest Nelson, and Otago) have retained diverse floras partly as a result of retention of older elements of the flora which more radically altered areas (southern North Island, central South Island) have tended to lose. The rapidly rising Southern Alps may have acted as a centre of speciation because of its provision of novel alpine and subalpine environments. Glaciations have affected distribution patterns mainly through permitting the wide spread of glacial environment specialists.

Abstract Gender (maleness or femaleness) is a quantitative phenomenon in plants. For accurate descriptions of gender, numerical estimates of the relative capabilities of plants as pollen and ovule parents have advantages over the verbal morphological descriptions of gender that are traditionally used. Full descriptions require the distribution of gender among subsets of a sexual class (e.g., among individual plants) to be indicated as well as the average condition. Estimates of gender can be based on the pollen and ovule or seed production of each subset independently (phenotypic gender), or else the pollen and ovule or seed production of the whole population can be taken into account to assess the functional gender of any subset. The functional gender of a plant estimates the proportions of its genes which are transmitted through pollen (its maleness) or through ovules (its femaleness). Prospective estimates of functional gender are based on the relative maternal and paternal investments before anthesis (gamete estimates) or until the maturation of seeds (seed estimates). These estimates provide an ideal measure of the gender strategies of plants as sexual parents, but do not necessarily correspond closely with the actual success of a plant in leaving descendants through its male and female gametes. Equations for obtaining estimates of functional gender are derived for populations with random cross‐fertilisation and for those with varying frequencies of self‐fertilisation and random cross‐fertilisation. The cosexual nature of plants of monomorphic populations and the separate male and female sexes of dimorphic populations are discussed.

Summary The present distribution and ecology of New Zealand plants is discussed from a historical viewpoint.It is suggested that during the Miocene a southern extension of the New Zealand archipelago supported a cool temperste flora, which gave rise to the present mountain flora after the onset of orogeny and climatic cooling in the Pliocene.As there was scarcely any simultaneous development of a distinctive flora adapted to the dry conditions which prevail to the east of the mountain axis, Cockayne§ opinion that extremely arid Pleistocene climates evoked certain characteristic life forms—notably the divaricating juvenile form of some trees—is considered to be substantially incorrect. That these life forms are adapted to still–existing conditions seems more probable. The broader features of present distribution are explllined in terms of Pleistocene glaciation and subsequent climatic amelioration.From the evidence of endemism and discontinuous distribution, it is concluded that Otago and Southland,Nelson and Marlborough, Auckland,the subantarctic regions and the Chatham Islands are areas where much of the present flora survived during the glaciation,whereas the middle portion of the South Island and the south of the North Island were characterised by extinction.Adjustment of the vegetation to post Pleistocene conditions is still incomplete, and complicated by the effect of continuing climatic fluctuations.

Abstract This paper considers strategies for optimally deploying the parental investment that a plant makes during one reproductive session. The subdivision of a plant's reproductive effort into many flowers and fruits causes plants to show distinctive parental strategies. The distribution of gametes is far more complicated in plants than in animals. The following classes of strategies are discussed: Gender strategies control the relative contributions to fitness that result from maternal and parental investments. Cosexual, male and female morphs are distinguished by their average gender. A simple method for quantitatively estimating the functional gender of plants is used to distinguish three types of gender reactions to various circumstances, namely canalised, labile, and sequential gender responses. Relative maternal and paternal expenditures . Maternal costs may exceed paternal costs by a considerable amount in many species. Size‐number compromises for seeds and pollen . The conflicting advantages of size and number have been actively investigated for seeds but not for pollen grains. Seed and pollen packaging — the relative numbers of polliniferous flowers and fruit. Hermaphroditism, andromonoecy, and gynomonoecy are compared as relative packaging strategies. The temporal control of maternal investment . Many factors influence the extent to which it is advantageous to control fruit numbers at the successive stages of flower determination, ovary development, and fruit maturation. Breeding patterns control the parentage of seeds, and include the frequencies and distributions of sexual versus asexual reproduction and of self‐ versus cross‐fertilisation. Botanists have concentrated on selection for genetic recombination as a factor controlling breeding patterns, and other factors have been under‐emphasised.

Abstract A reappraisal of the conservation status of the indigenous New Zealand vascular plant flora is presented. The list comprises 792 taxa (34% of New Zealand's total indigenous vascular flora) in the following categories: Extinct 4 taxa, Acutely Threatened 122 taxa (comprising 47 taxa Nationally Critical, 54 Nationally Endangered, 21 Nationally Vulnerable), Chronically Threatened 96 taxa (comprising Serious Decline 26 taxa, Gradual Decline 70 taxa), At Risk 499 taxa (comprising Sparse 126 taxa, Range Restricted 373 taxa), Non‐resident Native 26 taxa (comprising Vagrant 16 taxa, Colonist 10 taxa), and Data Deficient 45 taxa. A further 208 plants are listed as Taxonomically Indeterminate, being those which might warrant further conservation attention once their taxonomic status is clarified. A further 31 named taxa and 18 rated as Taxonomically Indeterminate, and previously considered to be threatened and/or uncommon, are removed from this updated listing. A concordance of plant names is provided. The lists presented use a new threat classification system developed by the New Zealand Department of Conservation for sole use within this country. This paper represents the first time the entire known indigenous vascular flora has been assessed from a conservation perspective since the mid 1970s. A brief analysis of the patterns of rarity exhibited by the taxa listed is presented.

The present paper is part of a larger project dealing with the exploration of boletes in the underexplored regions of district Swat, Pakistan. Based on the morphology and molecular data from the ITS and LSU regions of the nuclear DNA, one species of Hortiboletus is proposed as new to science, while H. swaticus is reported for the second time in Pakistan with emended description. Despite variation in their ITS sequences, the LSU sequences of H. indorubellus , as well as both the type and our samples of H. swaticus, showed homology. Additional specimens, especially those of H. indorubellus , along with their sequence data from the ITS and LSU regions will be required for clarification.

Tea is one of the most widely consumed non‐alcoholic beverages. The tea industry plays a significant role in supporting the economies of producing countries and provides livelihoods for millions of people, especially in rural areas. Diseases affecting the tea plant ( Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) are a critical concern, as they reduce crop yield and quality. Information on disease‐causing organisms in tea is scattered across the literature, making it difficult for farmers, researchers, and policymakers to comprehensively assess the full spectrum of pathogens, understand their epidemiology, and to develop integrated disease management strategies. The aim of the present checklist is to provide a comprehensive summary of phytopathogens reported to affect tea, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, algae, and other groups, based on information compiled from research and review articles, books and book chapters, monographs, first disease reports, web resources, and previously published checklists. Here, we report the taxonomic diversity and associated diseases of tea phytopathogens, documenting 188 species affecting foliar, stem, and root tissues. The fungi and fungus‐like pathogens (173 species) belong mainly to Ascomycota (142 species), followed by Basidiomycota (29 species) and Oomycota (2 species), and are represented by 49 families. Additional pathogens include 10 bacterial species, 3 viral and 2 algal pathogens. Most pathogens are associated with foliar tissues, with majority of reports originating from mainland China. Outdated nomenclature used in earlier publications was critically reviewed, and updated taxonomic classifications are provided. However, the taxonomy of several pathogens for which molecular data are lacking requires further re‐evaluation particularly through molecular studies of samples collected from other tea‐growing regions. This checklist provides a global overview of tea phytopathogens and serves as a valuable resource for disease management and future taxonomic and molecular research.

Sichuan pepper ( Zanthoxylum bungeanum ), an aromatic plant native to southwestern China, is widely used in Sichuan cuisine for its distinctive tingling flavor. In this study, we describe seven Fusarium species isolated from decaying woody pruning debris during a survey of microfungi associated with Z. bungeanum in Sichuan Province, China. Morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA (ITS), partial calmodulin ( cal ), RNA polymerase largest subunit ( rpb1 ), RNA polymerase II second largest subunit ( rpb2 ), translation elongation factor 1 Alpha ( tef1 ), and beta‐tubulin ( tub2 ) genes revealed two new species, Fusarium huajiao (belonging to the F. tricinctum species complex) and Fusarium sichuanense (belonging to the F. sambucinum species complex), as well as five new host records on Sichuan pepper: F. lateritium , F. sarcochroum , and F. stilboides (within the F. lateritium species complex), F. mianyangense (within the F. incarnatum–equiseti species complex), and F. pseudocircinatum (within the F. fujikuroi species complex). These findings expand the known fungal diversity associated with Sichuan pepper.

Habitat salinization is an increasing global challenge that adversely affects plant growth, development, and photosynthetic performance. Although salt responses have been extensively investigated in tracheophytes, and to some extent, in the model moss Physcomitrium patens , comparable information for other mosses—even closely related species—remains scarce. This study compared the effects of increasing NaCl substrate concentrations (0, 10, 50, and 250 mM) on morphogenesis, photosynthetic pigment composition, and chlorophyll fluorescence in P. patens and P. eurystomum grown under in vitro conditions. Morphogenetic traits were monitored continuously over 4 weeks, whereas pigment content and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were determined after 28 days of cultivation. Both species maintained 100% survival across all treatments, indicating that salinity primarily affected growth and development rather than viability. However, their morphogenetic responses differed markedly. P. patens maintained all investigated morphological traits under low and moderate NaCl stress, whereas P. eurystomum exhibited lower morphogenetic performance under the experimental conditions. At 250 mM NaCl, bud (and gametophore) formation was strongly inhibited in both species despite the persistence of viable protonemal tissue. Photosynthetic pigment and fluorescence responses also differed between species. Physcomitrium eurystomum accumulated significantly higher chlorophylls and carotenoids under 50 mM NaCl, whereas pigment concentrations remained largely unchanged in P. patens . Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements indicated that PSII function was largely preserved under low and moderate NaCl stress, whereas severe stress reduced the maximum quantum yield of PSII and elicited species‐specific changes in nonphotochemical quenching. These findings demonstrate that closely related Physcomitrium species exhibit distinct developmental and physiological acclimation response patterns under NaCl stress, emphasizing that developmental plasticity and photosynthetic regulation represent complementary components of bryophyte salinity responses.

This review summarises the taxonomic status, morphology, physiology, ecology, plant communities, mycological, invertebrate and vertebrate interactions and human use of the New Zealand endemic tree Kunzea ericoides (A. Rich.) Joy Thomps. (kānuka) (Myrtaceae). While first treated as two species and later divided into ten species, recent comprehensive genetic analysis has shown that it is a single variable species. Kānuka ranges in size from small, multi‐stemmed trees about 4 m tall to one of the tallest angiosperms at over 30 m. It is a relatively long‐lived successional tree, tolerant of winter cold and drought and a wide range of soils. It is one of the few native trees that regenerates widely after fire and is abundant throughout most of New Zealand, including many northern islands. Its original disturbance‐related niche has greatly expanded as a result of deforestation since human settlement. We now live in the golden age of kānuka; it is probably more widespread and abundant now than it has ever been in the past. Kānuka tends to form monospecific stands through which other tree species regenerate, but this is dependent on climate and seed sources. Kānuka forests harbour a diverse mycological and invertebrate biota. Abundant flowering, seeding and invertebrate populations make it a highly suitable habitat for birds and reptiles. Once treated largely as a weed in agricultural landscapes or used for firewood, recent years have seen it increasingly valued for honey and essential oil production. Kānuka has also become pivotal to restoration projects through its ease of nursery propagation, rapid growth and canopy closure and tolerance of a wide range of situations, including vertebrate browsing. These same attributes make it a favoured Indigenous species for erosion‐control, especially on steeplands.

During a survey of saprobic fungi in Phayao Province, northern Thailand, a hysteriaceous ascomycete was collected from decaying twigs of Shorea obtusa . Multigene phylogenetic analyses based on LSU, ITS, SSU and tef1‐α sequence data resolved the new isolate within Rhytidhysteron . Morphologically, our specimen differs from the closely related taxa R. thailandicum , R. bannaense and R. sichuanense , particularly in characters of the sexual morph, including longer and strictly superficial ascomata (823–2816 µm), a thicker exciple (70–188 µm) and smaller ascospores (17–25 × 5–8 µm; L / W = 3.2). Asexual morphs have not been reported for R. bannaense or R. sichuanense . The asexual morph of our isolate differs from that of R. thailandicum in having larger conidiomata with elongate papillate necks (314–605 × 141–253 µm) and longer conidiogenous cells (7–10 µm long). Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic evidence, we introduce Rhytidhysteron phayaoense sp. nov. This study expands knowledge of Rhytidhysteron in Thailand and contributes to a better understanding of species diversity within the genus.

Fire has been an historically rare disturbance in New Zealand ecosystems that is becoming increasingly frequent. Most native plants lack fire‐related adaptations, contrasting with exotic species that evolved with frequent fire disturbance. We investigated seed responses to short‐duration heat exposure in five native and four exotic species to assess the potential responses of these species to soil heating. Seeds were exposed to no heat or to 60, 80 or 100 °C for 10 min, with physically dormant species subjected to both scarified and non‐scarified treatments in a factorial design. For the species without physical dormancy, the native Cordyline australis and Melicytus ramiflorus were sensitive to heating, with no germination above 60 °C, whereas the exotic Pinus radiata and Pseudotsuga menziesii tolerated higher temperatures. Among physically dormant species, responses differed among taxa. Heating broke physical dormancy in the native Carmichaelia australis and the exotic Ulex europaeus, whereas only physical scarification broke dormancy in Cytisus scoparius , Discaria toumatou and Sophora microphylla. Carmichaelia australis , Cytisus scoparius and Sophora microphylla tolerated heating to 80 °C, and Ulex europaeus to 100 °C, while Discaria toumatou viability was lost above 60 °C. Our results demonstrate that while most native species show limited seed‐based fire resilience, Carmichaelia australis exhibits heat‐stimulated germination suggestive of ancestral or exaptive fire‐related traits. These findings improve understanding of regeneration potential under emerging fire regimes and highlight species‐specific seed traits that shape post‐fire vegetation dynamics in New Zealand.

Ceramothyrium (Chaetothyriaceae, Chaetothyriales) comprises mainly foliicolous fungi characterized by superficial ascomata covered by a mycelial pellicle, bitunicate asci, and hyaline, pluriseptate ascospores, and is predominantly distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. During an investigation of leaf‐associated microfungi on Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem. (Moraceae) in northern Thailand, an undescribed species of Ceramothyrium was discovered. Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses based on concatenated ITS and LSU sequence data place C. siamense within Ceramothyrium , forming a distinct and well‐supported lineage sister to C. aquaticum and C. phuquocense . Notably, these phylogenetically closest relatives are known only from their asexual morphs, whereas C. siamense is represented by a sexual morph. Morphologically, C. siamense is distinguished by superficial, nonsetose ascomata of moderate size compared to other species in the genus, relatively smaller bitunicate asci, and oblong–ellipsoid, hyaline ascospores with 3–5 transverse septa, lacking longitudinal septa and arranged 2–3 seriately. A morphological comparison of sexual Ceramothyrium species is provided.

Field work conducted during an atypically dry summer in southeastern Texas, USA, led to the isolation and sequencing of several novel or rare ascomycetous microfungi. In the Dothideomycetes, the taeniolella‐like hyphomycetous morph of Piepenbringia multiplex (Pleosporales) was collected together with its lophiotrema‐like sexual morph. Its placement in an independent, well‐supported monophyletic lineage within the order supported the introduction of the monotypic family Piepenbringiaceae to accommodate it. A new genus Rhexoacrodictyella is established for Rhexoacrodictys fuliginosa , collected on rotten wood, and placed within Microthyriales distant from the type species, R. erecta , in Pleurotheciales (Sordariomycetes). A new species Kirschsteiniothelia texana (Kirschsteiniotheliales) is described from bark of Pinus taeda . The fungus is morphologically similar to K. longisporum , collected on identical substrate in China, but the latter differs in having branched, longer conidiophores, shorter conidia, and being phylogenetically distant. In the Sordariomycetes, the genus Mucispora is reduced to synonymy with Melanocephala after the recollection of Me. triseptata (Fuscosporellales), and four new combinations are proposed. A detailed study of the protologue of Mu. infundibulata shows it is conspecific with Me. australiensis , whereas molecular data confirmed that Mu. yunnanensis is conspecific with Mu. maesotensis . Therefore, both species names are reduced to synonymy. Novel phylogenetic placements are provided for Mycoenterolobium platysporum , Spadicoides americana , and Sporoschismopsis simmonsii . Dematipyriforma aquilariae and Paradictyoarthrinium diffractum are recorded for the first time from the USA. The geographical distribution of these novel or rarely collected fungi was revealed by the GlobalFungi database and showed that their sequences sporadically occur in metagenomic studies supporting their overall rare occurrence.

Over 90% of palustrine wetlands in New Zealand have been lost, and those remaining face ongoing threats such as plant invasions. In the northern North Island, there is concern about widespread invasion of wetlands by royal fern ( Osmunda regalis ), a fast‐growing exotic fern introduced to New Zealand in 1890. We compared the effectiveness of mechanical and cut‐stem herbicide treatments (gel formulations) for controlling O. regalis invasion at three Waikato wetland sites, comprising two mānuka–willow swamps and a Machaerina ‐dominant fen. At each site, five plots were randomly assigned to one of five treatments: Glyphosate (high‐strength glyphosate), picloram, and metsulfuron‐methyl, cutting only without herbicide and control. Plots were revisited the following summer to record survival of O. regalis . Survival of mānuka ( Leptospermum scoparium ) was monitored to assess potential herbicide effects on non‐target species. Glyphosate was the most effective treatment overall, killing 96%–100% of O. regalis at the two swamp sites but only 87% at the fen site. Metsulfuron‐methyl and picloram were also highly effective at the swamp sites but substantially less so in the fen. Mechanical control alone was effective only at the driest site and completely ineffective in the fen. None of the treatments had significant negative effects on L. scoparium survival. These results suggest that site conditions and associated growth‐form variation of O. regalis influence treatment efficacy. Our cut‐stem herbicide treatments were most effective where O. regalis formed a trunk, while all methods were least successful at the fen site where plants lacked an arborescent form. Overall, glyphosate proved the most consistently effective treatment and no treatment caused significant non‐target effects. Management strategies for O. regalis should therefore be tailored to site‐specific conditions and growth form of O. regalis . Future studies are needed to enable a more complete understanding of O. regalis invasion and optimal methods of control.