In: Sydowia 78, (2026): 179-200; ISSN 0082-0598, DOI 10.12905/0380.sydowia78-2026-0179, Published online on january 12th, 2026

Xylaria in Brazil: an updated checklist and identification keys based on historical and herbarium records

Nicole Helena de Brito Gondim, Leonor Costa Maia & Roger Fagner Ribeiro Melo

Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Micologia, Centro de Biociências, Avenida da Engenharia, s/n, 50740–600, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil * e-mail: nicole.britogondim@ufpe.br

Gondim, N.H.D.B., Maia, L.C. & Melo, R.F.R. (2026) Xylaria in Brazil: an updated checklist and identification keys based on historical and herbarium records. – Sydowia 78: 179–200.

Xylaria Hill ex Schrank is one of the most representative tropical wood-decaying ascomycetes, with circa 300 described species. Historically, naturalists or enthusiasts mainly from Europe collected specimens of Xylaria in Brazil, due to its macroscopic, conspicuous stromata. Extensive literature review was conducted about Xylaria exsiccates recorded in herbaria from Brazil and other countries. Results demonstrate that the diversity of the genus is significant in the country, with 1,263 records, corresponding to 89 valid taxa. Four identification keys to species of Xylaria colleted in Brazil, from different substrates, are presented.

Keywords: Ascomycetes, Sordariomycetes, Taxonomy, Xylariales, Wood-decaying fungi