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Ustilago maydis
Ustilago maydis is a member of the smut fungi that infect maize. The fungus infects all parts of the maize plant. The infection causes the corn kernels to swell up into tumor-like galls. This particular corn colf had corn kernels that were between 2 and 4 cm in diameter, white with hints of grey and looked mushroom-like.
In a cornfield.
Corn smut is edible and is well sought after in Mexico, where it is called huitlacoche and is considered a delicacy. I have been on the look out for this fungus for years and have scoured a lot of cornfields, finally it paid off :) Spotted this fungus in a cornfield in a rural area of Deventer.
Spotted on Aug 20, 2022
Submitted on Aug 26, 2022
2 Comments
Thank you, Leuba! My colleague who happens to be Mexican said the same thing, she absolutely loves it in a quesadilla :) Too bad I didn't take it with me, hopefully next time.
Good spotting ! I've read about how delicious they are in quesadillas, etc. Will you be trying a few recipes Jae??!