Molecular analysis of the genus Balsamia was conducted with ITS and 28S sequences available, including newly gained sequences from Chinese specimens. Combined with the morphological examinations, a new hypogeous species, Balsamia lishanensis was described and illustrated from North China, which is morphologically characterized by reddish brown ascomata covered with fine warts, the whitish gleba with numerous small chambers, 3-5 layers peridium with reddish brown polygonal cells and the smooth and regular ellipsoid ascospores with one large oil drop. Two species previously described as Barssia were transferred to Balsamia. Balsamia platyspora was confirmed to be in existence in China based on newly collected specimen. A key to the Chinese Balsamia species was provided.
Keywords: Ascomycota; Helvellaceae; Hypogeous fungi; phylogeny; taxonomy.
Yu-Yan Xu, Xiang-Yuan Yan, Ting Li, Li Fan.