Obolarina persica sp. nov., associated with dying Quercus in Iran

A new species, Obolarina persica, is described from Iran. It is widely associated with dying Quercus brantii, on which it produces charcoal-like stromata. The fungus described herein differs from the other described species, Ob. dryophila, primarily in its much larger ascospores.

► An ascomycete is associated with a disease of Quercus brantii in Western Asia.
► It belongs to Xylariaceae and is an undescribed species of Obolarina.
► All infected Q. brantii trees eventually exhibited signs of charcoal disease.