Loose Smut of Oats - Ustilago avenae
The smut fungus Ustilago avenae infects the spikelets of various grasses, including Oats (Avena) and False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius).
Photograph the smut on the host grass. In your comments, note the species of grass affected. We recommend microscopic examination of the spores.
On various grasses, including Oats and False Oat-grass
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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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
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.


