Microbotryum stellariae

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Description

Microbotryum stellariae is a gall causing fungus affecting Stellaria species, especially Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria graminea) and Water Chickweed (Stellaria aquatica, formerly Myosoton aquaticum). Flower anthers of affected plants become thickened and contain a powdery purple mass of spores when mature.

Identification difficulty

host

Recording advice

Photograph the smut and the host. Ensure you have included a note identifying the host-plant

Habitat

Stellaria species (Stitchwort, chickweeds and Water-chickweed)

martindgrimes
Eyebrook Reservoir
08 October 2015
smut on anthers of Water Chickweed
sue
Thornton Meadows
24 May 2023
anther smut on Stellaria graminea
Hazel Graves
Braunstone Park
20 May 2023
on Lesser Stitchwort
steven lewis
Eastwell, Ironstone Banks
15 June 2019
Steve Mathers
Melton Country Park (and adjacent disused railway)
25 August 2016
smudged purple anthers show smut fungus
martindgrimes
Eyebrook Reservoir
08 October 2015
on Water Chickweed
steven lewis
Eastwell, Ironstone Banks
15 June 2019