Mycosarcoma maydis

Corn Smut, Huitlacoche

Mycosarcoma maydis (long known as Ustilago maydis) is a smut fungus that infects maize and teosinte, turning kernels and other above-ground parts into swollen, tumor-like galls filled with blue-black spores. Immature galls are eaten in Mexico as huitlacoche. It is also a model organism for plant-pathogen research.

Species profile

Edibility: Edible with caution
Edible: immature galls (about 2-3 weeks after infection) are eaten as huitlacoche in quesadillas, tortilla dishes and soups, with a mushroom-like, sweet, earthy flavour. Mature galls are dry and spore-filled. The Zuni used it to try to induce labour (ergot-like but weaker effects attributed to ustilagine), so caution is sensible in pregnancy.

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Characteristics

Galls: Swollen, tumor-like, up to about 10-13 cm (4-5 in) across, on ears and other above-ground parts; filled with enlarged host cells, fungal threads and, at maturity, blue-black spores that give the cob a scorched look. Spores: Blue-black teliospores. Culture: Grows as yeast-like sporidia in the lab.

Species profile

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