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Corn Smut

Fungi

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
Classification
Diet
Parasitic 1
System (Realm)
Terrestrial 2
Relationship to People
Eaten or Drunk by People 1
Identification
Distinguishing Appearance
Infected corn kernels swell into tumor-like galls whose tissues and texture are mushroom-like 1
Comparison
NatureServe Rank
GNR Unranked 3
Scientific Name
Mycosarcoma maydis 1
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated 4
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Ustilaginomycetes, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Corn Smut
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Belgium

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Denmark

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Sweden

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

United States

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

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.
  • Article text
    Corn smut is a plant disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Mycosarcoma maydis, synonym Ustilago maydis.
  • Edible use
    The infected corn is edible; 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.
View the Source
2. GBIF Species API
GBIF Species APIView the Source
3. NatureServe Explorer: Mycosarcoma maydis
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)
Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
View the Source
4. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Mycosarcoma maydis
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 8699607, category field
Quote, GBIF taxon key 8699607, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
View the Source
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
International Union for Conservation of NatureView the Source
Wikidata: Corn Smut
  • Wikidata Q1430040, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
  • Child Taxon Of: Ustilaginomycetes, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source
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