Chlorociboria species (Green Stain Elf Cups)

Ascomycete – disc fungi

It is a common and widespread fungus, growing in groups on debarked wood or fallen branches, causing the wood to be stained a brilliant blue-green colour. The stem bases of the fruit bodies are attached to a black mat of hyphae embedded in the wood.The blue-green pigment, a quinone derivative called xylindein, is secreted by the hyphae. It has been suggested that the pigment may make the wood less enticing for termites and may also reduce competition with other wood-inhabiting fungi.

To date, there have only been the two species recognised in Australia while there are fifteen species in New Zealand.

C. aeruginosa has longer spores than C. aeruginascens