Following a two-step enrichment in methanol containing broth, methylotrophic yeast strains were isolated from about 45% of the leaf samples collected from broad leafed deciduous trees and from herbs in Hungary. During the enrichment process protists predating the yeasts were observed. Based on standard phenotypical tests and the D1/D2 domain sequences of the large subunit (26S) rDNA of the yeast strains recovered from the phylloplane, some of them represent previously unknown species. The description of a new methylotrophic yeast species, Ogataea allantospora [type strain: NCAIM Y.01822(T) (CBS 10576, NRRL Y-48267)], isolated from phylloplane is given. The proposed new species is the first member of the genus which forms allantoid ascospores, therefore the emendation of the diagnosis of the genus Ogataea Yamada, Maeda & Mikata is proposed.