tolyposporium

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A genus of smut-fungi of the family Ustilaginaceæ, having the spores united in sub-spherical masses. The germinating spores produce promycelia bearing both lateral and terminal sporidia. Nine species are known, occurring as parasites on various glumaceous plants. T. Junci attacks the flowers and culms of Juncus bufonius, producing gall-like outgrowths. T. bullatum is found on the ovaries of the barn-yard grass, Echimochloa Crus-galli, in North America.