Ustilago is a genus of approximately 200 smut fungi parasitic on grasses.[1]
Ustilago maydis is eaten as a traditional Mexican food in many parts of the country, and is even available canned. Farmers have even been known to spread the spores around on purpose to create more of the fungus. It is known in central Mexico by the Nahuatl name huitlacoche. Peasants in other parts of the country call it "hongo de maíz," i.e. "maize fungus."[2]
The genome of U. maydis has been sequenced.[3]
Ustilago is a genus of approximately 200 smut fungi parasitic on grasses.
