Ustilago maydis - Little-known mushrooms - the edible corn parasite

By madventure | Nature, Photography | 29 May 2025


 

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Corn smut (Ustilago maydis) It is a fungus that grows on corn cobs. It is a parasite that destroys maize crops and should not be included in the feed of farm animals.

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But the interesting thing is that when the fruiting body is still young, when it is still white inside and has no developed spores, it is edible. People can eat it. It is difficult to determine what taste values it has, because I have not eaten.

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It appears most frequently on corn cobs, but also attacks leaves and stems. The bump on the cob is the final stage of the plant infection. It is a fungus that is difficult to control because its spores blown by the wind can survive in the soil, on the remains of leaves and grains, for several years. Toxic to farm animals.

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When you look at it, it really is the corn killer😉

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madventure
madventure

backpackers, traveler, nature lover, photographer, dreamer


Nature, Photography
Nature, Photography

Everything about nature and photography

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