Choke - Epichloe typhina

Description

Epichloe typhina galls the stems of various grasses, the gall often having a rather tubular appearance. It is white in the early stages, yellowing when mature. On various grasses including many of our most common species including Sweet Vernal-grass, False Oat-grass, Cock's-foot, Perennial Rye-grass, Wood Millet, Timothy and Rough Meadow-grass.

Similar Species

There are several other Epichloe species that affect different species of grass and have different spore-sizes and characteristics

 

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Please provide photograph of the area affected by 'choke' and an image of the host grass.  Please state the host grass species in the comments section. Microscopic examination may be necessary.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Choke
Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Hypocreales
Family:
Clavicipitaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
24
First record:
14/06/2014 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
28/06/2023 (Smith, Peter)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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