smut fungus

/smət ˌfʌŋgəs/

Other forms: smut fungi

Definitions of smut fungus

1. noun

   any fungus of the order Ustilaginales
   synonyms: smut

   types:

   covered smut

   a smut fungus causing a smut disease of grains in which the spore masses are covered or held together by the grain membranes

   loose smut

   a smut fungus of the genus Ustilago causing a smut disease of grains in which the entire head is transformed into a dusty mass of spores

   corn smut, cornsmut

   a smut fungus attacking Indian corn

   Sphacelotheca, genus Sphacelotheca

   genus of smut fungus

   Sphacelotheca reiliana, head smut

   smut fungus attacking heads of corn or sorghum and causing a covered smut

   Tilletia caries, bunt

   fungus that destroys kernels of wheat by replacing them with greasy masses of smelly spores

   Tilletia foetida, bunt, stinking smut

   similar to Tilletia caries

   Urocystis cepulae, onion smut

   smut fungus causing blackish blisters on scales and leaves of onions; especially destructive to seedlings

   flag smut fungus

   a smut fungus causing a smut in cereals and other grasses that chiefly affects leaves and stems and is characterized chains of sori within the plant tissue that later rupture releasing black masses of spores

   Ustilago maydis, boil smut

   a common smut attacking Indian corn causing greyish white swellings that rupture to expose a black spore mass

   Urocystis tritici, wheat flag smut

   fungus affecting leaves and stems of wheat

   type of:

   fungus

   an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia