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Volume 75, 1945-46
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– 340 –

Keys to Genera and Species of New Zealand Smut Fungi

By G. H. Cunningham, Plant Diseases Division, Auckland.

[Read before the Auckland Inslilulc, April 18, 1945; revcived by the Editor June 5, 1945; issued separatcly, December, 1945.]

In earlier papers (1924; 1926a, 1926b; 1927; 1928; 1930) descriptions were published of all known Smut Fungi and their hosts which had been collected in New Zealand up to the year 1930. Since then several additional species have been collected, and form the subject of recent papers (1945a, 1945b). As these include additional genera it has been found necessary to revise the keys to genera and species, and bring up to date terminology of both species and host plants.

The family is poorly represented in the Dominion, for although collections have been made regularly over the past 26 years, but nine genera and forty species are recorded herein, nine being endemic.

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Key to Genera.
Spores single, not in balls.
Fascicles of hyphae trave [ unclear: ] sing the sori. 2. Farysia.
Fascicles not present.
Sori pulverulent at maturity.
Sori permanently embedded in plant tissues, usually in leaves. 5. Entyloma.
Sori exposed but enclosed within a persistent fungous membrane. 4. Sphacelo [ unclear: ] hc [ unclear: ] a.
Sori exposed, naked or covered but temporarily by plant tissue.
Probasidia usually with lateral conidia 1. Uslilago.*
Probasidia usually with terminal conidia. 6. Tilletia.
Sori compact, remaining firm and persistent.
Central columella of plant tissue present in the sorus. 3. Cintractia.
Central columella absent. 6. Tillclia.
Spores aggregated into balls.
Sori pulverulent at maturity.
Spore balls with sterile peripheral cells. 8. Urocystis.
Spore balls without sterile cells. 7. Sorosporium.
Sori compact at maturity. 9. Tolyposporium.

Genus 1. USTILAGO (Pers.) Rouss. (1924).*

Key to Species.

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Sori confined to inflorescences.
Spores smooth.
Spores 3–5 μ; on Danthonia. 5. U. comburens
Spores greater than 7 μ.
Sori on Avena sativa. 8. U. Kolleri.

[Footnote] * There is no satisfactory key character by which Ustilago may be separated from Tilletia save that of spore germination. Spores of Ustilago on germination produce probasidia which either carry elliptical conidia laterally and terminally, or develop directly into infection hyphae. Spores of Tilletia in species with a known method of germination produce probasidia which bear terminal whorls of elongated conidia.

[Footnote] * References are given to New Zealand papers in which descriptions and illustrations have been published.

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Sori on Hordeum vulgare. 6. U. hordei
Spores finely verruculose.
Sori completely destroying inflorescences; on Hordeum vulgare, and Triticum vulgare. 10. U. tritici.
Sori only partly destroying spikelets; on Arrhenatherum and Avena. 3. U. avenae.
Spores prominently verrucose.
Sori on Asperella. 2. U. asprellae.
Sori on Agropyron and Bromus. 4. U. bullata.
Sori in leaves and inflorescences; on Anthoxanthum and Danthonia. 1. U. agropyri.
Sori confined to leaves: on Dactylis and Holcus. 9. U. striaeformis.
Sori confined to internodes; on Agropyron. 7. U. hypodytes.

1. U. agropyri McAlp. (1924, p. 414).

Hosts: Anthoxanthum odoratum L.

Danthonia pilosa R. Br.

Danthonia semiannularis R. Br.

(Formerly recorded as U. readeri Syd.).

2. U. asprellae G. H. Cunn. (1930, p. 417).

Host: Asperella gracilis (Hook. f.) T. Kirk.

3. U. avenae (Pers.) Rostr. (1924, p. 405).

Hosts: Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Mert. & Koch.

Avena fatua L.

Avena sativa L.

4. U. bullata Berk. (1924, p. 413).

Hosts: Agropyron scabrum (Lab.) Beauv.

Bromus catharticus Vahl.

Bromus mollis L.

[Fischer (1940) showed that the smut on species of Bromus, U. bromivora, is identical morphologically and biologically with U. bullata.]

5. U. comburens Ludw. (1924, p. 413).

Hosts: Danthonia buchanani Hook. f.

Danthonia pilosa R. Br.

6. U. hordei (Pers.) Lagh. (1924, p. 408).

Host: Hordeum vulgare L.

(Formerly listed as U. jensenii Rostr.).

* References are given to New Zealand papers in which descriptions and illustrations have been published.

7. U. hypodytes (Schlecht.) Fr. (1926b, p. 186).

Host: Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.

8. U. kolleri Wille (1924, p. 406).

Host: Avena sativa L.

(Formerly listed as U. levis Magn.).

9. U. striaeformis (Westnd.) Niessl. (1924, p. 410).

Hosts: Dactylis glomerata L.

Holcus lanatus L.

10. U. tritici (Pers.) Rostr. (1924, p. 409).

Hosts: Hordeum vulgare L.

Triticum vulgare Vill.

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Genus 2. FARYSIA Racib. (1924, p. 414; 1926a, p. 78).

Key to Species.

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Sori in ovaries; on Carex.
Spore wall 1 μ thick; spores frequently oblong. 14. F. clivacea.
Spore wall 2–3 μ thick.
Spores commonly subglobose, endospore inevident. 12. F. merrillii.
Spores commonly broadly elliptical, endospore conspicuous.
Fascicles abundant, olivaceous. 13. F. nigra.
Fascicles scanty, yellowish. 15. F. pseudocyperi.
Sori on peduncles; on Gahnia. 11. F. endotricha.

11. F. endotricha (Berk.) Syd. (1924, p. 416).

Hosts: Gahnia pauciflora T. Kirk.

Gahnia setifolia Hook. f.

Gahnia xanthocarpa Hook. f.

12. F. merrillii (P. Henn.) Syd. (1945a, p. 330).

Host: Carex virgata Sol.

13. F. nigra G. H. Cunn. (1924, p. 416; 1926a. p. 78).

Host: Carex dipsacea Berggr.

14. F. olivacea (DC.) Syd. (1924. p. 417; 1926a, p. 78).

Hosts: Carex dipsacea Berggr.

Carex dissita Sol.

Carex riparia Curt.

Carex ternaria Forst. f.

15. F. pseudocyperi (de Toni) Zundel (1945a, p. 332).

Host: Carex dissita Sol.

Genus 3. CINTRACTIA Cornu (1924, p. 418).

Key to Species.

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Spores large, 16–27 μ.
Spores smooth; on Schoenus. 17. C. schoenus.
Spores finely verruculose.
Spores sepia coloured; on Carpha. 20. C. waiouru.
Spores chestnut or bay brown.
Sori on Carex; spores 16–27 μ long. 16. C. caricis.
Sori on Uncinia; spores 16–22 μ long. 18. C. sclerotiformis.
Spores small, 3–5 μ; on Spinifex. 19. C. spinificis.

16. C. caricis (Pers.) Magn. (1924, p. 420).

Hosts: Carex gaudichaudiana Kunth.

Carex subdola Boott.

Carex ternaria Forst. f.

17. C. schoenus G. H. Cunn. (1928, p. 503).

Host: Schoenus pauciflorus Hook. f.

18. C. sclerotiformis (Cke. & Mass.) G. H. Cunn. (1924, p. 421).

Hosts: Uncinia caespitosa Boott.

Uncinia leptostachya Raoul.

Uncinia riparia R. Br.

Uncinia rubra Boott.

19. C. spinificis (Ludw.) McAlp. (1924. p. 418).

Host: Spinifex hirsutus Lab.

20 C. waiouru G. H. Cunn. (1945b, p. 335).

Host: Carpha alpina R. Br.

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Genus 4. SPHACELOTHECA de Bary (1924, p. 397).

21. S. cordobensis (Speg.) Jackson (1945b, p. 336).

Host: Panicum miliaceum L.

22. S. hydropiperis (Schum.) de Bary (1924, p. 423).

Hosts: Polygonum persicaria L.

Polygonum serrulatum Lag.

Genus 5. ENTYLOMA de Bary (1945b, p. 334).

Key to Species.

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On Physalis; epispore 2 μ thick. 23. E. australe.
On Calendula; epispore 3 μ thick. 24. E. calendulae.
On Dahlia; epispore 0.75 μ thick. 25. E. dahliae.

23. E. australe Speg. (1945b p. 334).

Host: Physalis peruviana L.

24. E. calendulae (Oud.) de Bary (1945b, p. 334).

Host: Calendula officinalis L.

25. E. dahliae Syd. (1945b, p. 335).

Host: Dahlia sp. cult.

Genus 6. TILLETIA Tul. (1924, p. 424).

Key to Species.

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Spores smooth; on Triticum 29. T. foetens.
Spores reticulated.
Spores to 26 μ diameter.
Spores pallid brown, reticulations to 1 μ tall; on Triticum 27. T. caries.
Spores fuscous brown, reticulations 2 μ tall; on Vulpia 30. T. fusca.
Spores to 32 μ diameter.
Reticulations to 4.5 μ tall; on Holcus. 31. T. holci.
Reticulations to 3 μ tall.
Sori on Agrostis. 28. T. decipiens.
Sori on Anthoxanthum. 26. T. anthoxanthi.
Spores covered with irregular tubercules enclosed in a hyaline sheath; on Deyeuxia 32. T. inolens.

26. T. anthoxanthi Blytt. (1928, p. 503).

Host: Anthoxanthum odoratum L.

27. T. caries (DC.) Tul. (1924, p. 426).

Host: Triticum vulgare Vill.

(Formerly recorded as T. tritici Wint.).

28. T. decipiens (Pers.) Koern. (1924, p. 424).

Host: Agrostis tenuis Sibth.

29. T. foetens (Berk. & Curt.) Schroet. (1924, p. 425).

Host: Triticum vulgare Vill.

(Formerly recorded as T. levis Kuehn.).

30. T. fusca Ell & Ev. (1945b p. 337).

Host: Vulpia dertonensis (All.) Volk.

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31. T. holci (Westnd.) de Toni (1924, p. 427).

Host: Holcus lanatus L.

32. T. inolens McAlp. (1945b, p. 337).

Host: Deyeuxia quadriseta (Labill.) Benth.

Genus 7. SOROSPORIUM Rud. (1924, p. 427).

Key to Species.

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Balls composed of 15–50 spores.
Spores smooth; on Schoenus. 35. S. solidum.
Spores verruculose; on Zea mays. 34. S. reilianum.
Balls composed of 2–6 spores; on Scirpus. 33. S. neillii.

33. S. neillii G. H. Cunn. (1924, p. 428).

Host: Scirpus nodosus Rottb.

34. S. reilianum (Kuehn.) McAlp. (1945b, p. 336).

Host: Zea mays L.

35. S. solidum (Berk.) McAlp. (1924, p. 429).

Hosts: Schoenus carsei Cheesem.

Schoenus concinnus Hook. f.

Genus 8. UROCYSTIS Rabenh. (1924, p. 429).

Liro (1922, p. 55) held that as Urocystis was antedated by Tuburcinia Fr., species should be placed under the latter genus. According to the International Rules of Botanical Nomenclature Tuburcinia is certainly the prior name; but as its use would necessitate changing many well-known names, the British Mycological Society Nomenclature Committee (1939, p. 223) recommended that Urocystis be conserved as a generic name. Having met with almost universal approval among mycologists, the recommendation has been applied herein.

Key to Species.

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Spore balls of 1–3 spores enclosed by numerous sterile cells.
Sori on Allium. 38. U. cepulae.
Sori on Festuca. 36. U. agropyri.
Spore balls of 1–5 spores enclosed by numerous sterile cells; on Ranunculus. 37. U. anemones.
Spore balls of 20–30 spores enclosed by several scattred cells; on Ranunculus. 39. U. novae-zelandiae.

36. U. agropyri (Preuss.) Schroet. (1945b, p. 338).

Host: Festuca arundinacea Schreb.

37. U. anemones (Pers.) Liro (1924, p. 430).

Host: Ranunculus insignis Hook. f.

38. U. cepulae Frost (1945b, p. 338).

Host: Allium cepa L.

39. U. novae-zelandiae nov. comb. (1928, p. 504).

Hosts: Anemone tenuicaulis (Cheesem.) Parkin et Sledge.

(Formerly recorded as Tuburcinia novae-zelandiae.)

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Genus 9. TOLYPOSPORIUM Wor. (1926a, p. 77).

40. T. littorale G. H. Cunn. (l.c.).

Host: Cladium huttoni T. Kirk.

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Kew to Hosts.
Host. Fungus.
Agropyron repens Ustilago hypodytes
Agropyron scabrum Ustilago bullata
Agrostis tenuis Tilletia decipiens
Allium cepa Urocystis cepulae
Anemone tenuicaulis Urocystis novae-zelandiae
Anthoxanthum odoralum Tilletia anthoxanthi
Ustilago agropyri
Arrhenatherum elatius Ustilago avenae
Asperella gracilis Ustilago asprellae
Avena, fatua Ustilago avenae
Avena sativa Ustilago avenae
Ustilago kolleri
Bromus catharticus Ustilago bullata
Bromus mollis Ustilago bullata
Calendula officinalis Entyloma calendulae
Carex dipsacea Farysia nigra
Farysia olivacea
Carex dissita Farysia pseudocyperi
Carex gaudichaudiana Cintractia caricis
Carex riparia Farysia olivacea
Carex subdola Cintractia caricis
Carex ternaria Cintractia caricis
Farysia olivacea
Carex virgata Farysia merrillii
Carpha alpina Cintractia uaiouru
Cladium huttoni Tolyposporium littorale
Dactylis glomerata Ustilago striaeformis
Dahlia sp. cult. Entyloma dahliae
Danthonia buchanani Ustilago comburens
Danthonia pilosa Ustilago comburens
Ustilago agropyri
Danthonia semiannularis Ustilago agropyri
Deyeuxia quadriseta Tilletia inolens
Festuca arundinacea Urocystis agropyri
Gahnia pauciflora Farysia endotricha
Gahnia setifolia Farysia endotricha
Gahnia xanthocarpa Farysia endotricha
Holcus lanatus Tilletia holci
Ustilago striaeformis
Hordeum vulgare Ustilago hordei
Ustilago tritici
Panicum miliaceum Sphacelotheca cordobensis
Physalis peruviana Entyloma australe
Polygonum persicaria Sphacelotheca hydropiperis
Polygonum serrulatum Sphacelotheca hydropiperis
Ranunculus insignis Urocystis anemones
Schocnus carsei Sorosporium solidum
Schoenus concinnus Sorosporium solidum
Schoenus pauciflorus Cintractia schoenus
Scirpus nodosus Sorosporium neillii
Spinifex hirsutus Cintractia spinificis
Triticum vulgare Tilletia caries
Tilletia foetens
Ustilago tritici
Uncinia caespitosa Cintractia sclerotiformis
Uncinia leptostachya Cintractia sclerotiformis
Uncinia riparia Cintractia sclerotiformis
Uncinia rubra Cintractia sclerotiformis
Vulpia dertonensis Tilletia fusca
Zea mays Sorosporium reilianum
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Literature Cited.

Anonymous, 1930. Nomina Generica Conservanda. Transactions of the British Mycological Society, vol. 23, pp. 215–232.

Cunningham, G. H., 1924. The Ustilagineae, or “Smuts,” of New Zealand. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute, vol. 55, pp. 397–433.

— 1926a. Third Supplement to the Uredinaceae and Ustilaginacae of New Zealand. Ibid., vol. 56, pp. 74–80.

— 1926b. Fourth Supplement to the Uredinales and Ustilaginales of New Zealand. Ibid., vol. 57, p. 186.

— 1927. Fifth Supplement to the Uredinales and Ustilaginales of New Zealand. Ibid., vol. 58, pp. 47–50.

— 1928. Sixth Supplement to the Uredinales and Ustilaginales of New Zealand. Ibid., vol. 59, pp. 491–505.

— 1930 Seventh Supplement to the Uredinales and Ustilaginales of New Zealand. Ibid., vol. 61, pp. 402–418.

— 1945a. A Revision of New Zealand Species of Farysia. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand, vol. 75, pp. 328–333.

— 1945b. Additions to the Smut Fungi of New Zealand, I. Ibid., vol. 75, pp. 334–339.

Fischer, G. W., 1940. Host Specialization in the Head Smut of Grasses, Ustilago bullata. Phytopathology, vol. 30, pp. 991–1017.

Liro, J. I., 1922. Ueber die Gattung Tuburcinia Fries. Annales Unicersilatis Fennicae Aboensis, Ser. A, vol. 1, p. 55.

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