Anthracoidea pulicaris
A smut fungus on ovaries of Carex pulicaris, visible as black masses (hard or powdery) in often-stunted inflorescences. Probably more easily seen in older inflorescences.
Sori in ovaries, scattered in infloresences, forming ovid to ellipsoidal, black, hard bodies, 2-2.5 mm long, powdery on the surface, partly enclosed by the longitudinally splitting utricles. Spores medium-sized, occasionally subglobose to ellipsoidal, usually irregular, subangular and flattened, 12-21 x 17-24(-26) µm, dark reddish brown; wall 1-3.5 µm thick, thickest at the angles, often with light-refractive areas, internal swellings small, 1-3 or absent, surface densely and conspicuously verrucose, warts forming groups or rows, sometimes fusing, spore profile smooth, undulate or finely serrulate.
On Carex pulicaris in North and Central Europe.
Description adapted from Vánky, K. (2012). Smut fungi of the world. St. Paul, Minnesota: APS press.
Not formally assessed. Only known in GB from four records, from East Norfolk VC27 in England; and South Aberdeenshire VC92, Moray VC95, and North Ebudes VC104, in Scotland.
The host is not uncommon and widely distributed throughout Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and much of England.
None known on this host.
Anthracoidea pulicaris is a specific biotrophic parasite and pathogen of Carex pulicaris, infecting host plant ovaries, and only known from this host.
In GB, historically known from West Caister, Great Yarmouth in East Norfolk VC27, England; and the Isle of Skye, North Ebudes VC104, Scotland.
In recent years only recorded from Scotland, from Morrone, South Aberdeenshire VC92 in 1980; and Dulnain Bridge, Moray VC95.