Lophodermium piceae and Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii in fallen needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Abstract

Abstract Falling needles collected from under individual 70‐year‐old Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) trees for about four years were checked for fungal fruitbodies. The most common fungi were Lophodermium piceae and Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii . Maximum frequencies of fruitbodies occurred in late autumn for L. piceae (ca. 80% of the needles), in summer for R. kalkhoffii (ca. 60%) and in winter for the third most common fungus, Tiarosporella parca (ca. 10%). The frequencies of needles with fruiting fungi varied greatly within and between years. This is the first report of T. parca from Sweden.