Loose Smut of Oats - Ustilago avenae

Description

The smut fungus Ustilago avenae infects the spikelets of various grasses, including Oats (Avena) and False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius).  

Identification difficulty

host

Recording advice

Photograph the smut on the host grass.  In your comments, note the species of grass affected.  We recommend microscopic examination of the spores.

Habitat

On various grasses, including Oats and False Oat-grass

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Loose Smut of Oats, Loose Smut Of Oats & Oat Grass
Species group:
fungus
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Ustilaginales
Family:
Ustilaginaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
2
First record:
30/06/2021 (lemmon, roy)
Last record:
12/06/2024 (Cooper, Barbara)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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