An Unusual Host for a Polypore

Abstract

IN December 1943 through the kindness of Dr. K. P. Biswas, superintendent of the Lloyd Botanical Gardens of Darjeeling, I obtained a few specimens of green leaflets of a Macrozamia sp. from the Darjeeling garden bearing tiny fructifications of Polystictus sanguineus (Linn.) May. on their back surface (see accompanying illustration). Sections of the fructifications showed normal basidia and white and oval spores (4–6 × 3–4 mic.) of P. sanguineus. In sections of leaflets under the microscope partial disintegration of chloroplastids at places and formation of tannin drops were detected though the leaflets were quite green to the naked eye.