SCIENTIFIC NAME: MICROBOTRYUM SILENES-DIOICAE
VERNACULAR NAME: ANTHER SMUT

Fig 1
DESCRIPTION Inspect the flowerheads of the various host plants and you may come up with this odd fungal species. A chocolate to purple brown dusting this species covers the anthers and once seen is readily identified. Host plants are sterilised but not killed. Teliospores are spread between plants by pollinating insects.
SPORES

Finely reticulate, light purple.

HABITAT On anthers of Red Campions. The similar species on White Campion is known as Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae
SEASON Common but easily overlooked. April to Sept.

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