Contribution to the identification of Xylaria species in Iran

The preliminary result of a survey conducted on Xylaria species in the North of Iran is presented. Based on morphological examination of fungal specimens collected from Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, eight species including Xylaria arbuscula, X. cubensis, X. filiformis, X. hypoxylon, X. longipes, X. multiplex, X. pannosa, and X. polymorpha were identified. Among the identified species, X. hypoxylon, X. longipes, and X. polymorpha have been already reported from Iran and the rest are new to the Iranian mycobiota. An identification key with brief description of all species already reported from Iran is presented.