Andropogon distachyos, southern Crete © Paul Fontaine

gall

Infested parts of the inflorescence are turned into a spore mass of 1-3 cm long and 1-3 mm thick. Initially this is enclosed in membrane built out of mycelial tissue, but after this has ruptured the spores are set free.

hostplants

Poaceae, narrowly oligophagous

Bothriochloa ischaemum; Dichanthium annulatum.

Almaraz adds Andropogon distachyos.

synonyms

Sphacelotheca andropogonis.

notes

Vánky doubts whether this species occurs on Andropogon, but the infection illustrated above cannot possibly be caused by Anthracocystis polliniae, the only other smut that is associated with Andropogon.

synonyms

“Usilago andropogonis”; Sphacelotheca andropogonis (Opiz) Bubák, 1912; Sphacelotheca ischaemi (Fuckel) Clinton, 1902.

references

Almaraz (1998a), Beltran Tejera (1976a), Buhr (1964b), Ivić, Sever, Scheuer & Lutz (2013a), Klenke & Scholler (2015a), Llorens i Villagrasa (1984a), Ludwig (1974a), Lutz & Vánky (2009a), Navarro, Honrubia & Torres (1986a), Prillinger, Wuczkowski, Lopandic ao (2009a), Roskam (2019a), Savchenko & Heluta (2012a), Scholz & Scholz (2013a), Tomasi (2012a, 2014a), Tóth (1994a), Unamuno (1942a), Vánky (1994a, 2003a), Vánky & Abbasi (2013a).