Corn smut is a plant disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Mycosarcoma maydis, synonym Ustilago maydis, one of several cereal-crop pathogens known as smuts. The fungus forms galls on all above-ground parts of corn species such as maize and teosinte; the infected corn is edible, and in Mexico it is considered a delicacy called huitlacoche, often eaten as a filling in quesadillas and other tortilla-based dishes as well as in soups.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceInfected corn kernels swell into tumor-like galls whose tissues and texture are mushroom-like 1 Classification
System (Realm) Scientific Name Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Corn Smut
In the Other Atlases
- Also in Geography Atlas: Belgium, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Denmark, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: Sweden, found in there.
- Also in Geography Atlas: United States, found in there.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Corn smut
Lead paragraph, first sentence
Corn smut is a plant disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Mycosarcoma maydis, synonym Ustilago maydis.
Description, first paragraph
The infection causes the corn kernels to swell up into tumor-like galls, wherein the tissues, texture, and developmental pattern are mushroom-like.
View the Source2. GBIF Species API
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Wikidata: Corn Smut
- Wikidata Q1430040, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Ustilaginomycetes, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
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