Species/Subspecies: Ustilago maydis
Categories: Plant pathogen; of practical use
Etymology: Genus name: to burn (refers to the burnt appearance of the infected cob).
Species epithet: of maize.
Significance:  [Unclassified]   
Taxonomy:
PhylumClassOrderFamilyGenus
BasidiomycotaUstilaginomycetesUstilaginalesUstilaginaceaeUstilago
 
Macromorphology (smell):
Micromorphology:
Reproduction:
Spec. Char.:
Disease/effect:
Hosts/substrateDisease/effectClinical picture or result
Maize and teosinte (Zea maize)Corn smutInfection causes the corn kernels to swell up into tumor-like galls with a fungus-like consistency. The galls can appear on stems and leaves but is most common on the corn kernels. The galls can be up to 20 cm in diameter and when they have matured, they contain a soot-like powder, which consists of teliospores.
Genome Sequence:
ACC-No GenBankStrain/Isolate# of chromSize (Mbp)Ref
GCA_000328475 521 23 19.7 # 75
ITS regions: -
Taxonomy/phylogeny:
Comment:The galls, which the fungus forms, is used in cooking in e.g. Mexico and is there considered to be a delicacy (Sp. huitlacoche). Huitlacoche contains i.a. the essential amino acid lysine.
Link: Ustilago maydis, corn smut
Updated:2022-03-31

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Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences