Synonyms: Atkinsonella hypoxylon, Balansia texensis.
Common name: Texas wintergrass fungus.
Atkinsonella texensis is a grass-infecting fungus in the family Clavicipitaceae. It is native to North America and commonly found in East and Central Texas, where it infects various species of grasses, particularly those in the genera Stipa, Andropogon, and Schizachyrium. The fungus produces perithecia, which are immersed in the host tissue, and contain asci with filiform ascospores. Infections typically occur in the summer months, and the fungus can cause significant alterations to the host plant's morphology, including stunting, chlorosis, and the production of fungal stromata that replace the host's inflorescences.
Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis, Clavicipitaceae, tribe Balansieae, ergot) from small grass Nassella leucotricha(?) at the edge of prairie on Wildflower Loop Trail in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 2022
23900 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Close-up of Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis, Clavicipitaceae, Balansieae, ergot) on grass Nassella leucotricha(?) at the edge of prairie on Wildflower Loop Trail in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 202223900 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis, Clavicipitaceae, Balansieae, ergot) on grass Nassella leucotricha(?) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 202223900 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Protruding black ascostromata of Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis, Clavicipitaceae, Balansieae, ergot) enclosing upper leaves of grass Nassella leucotricha(?) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 202223900 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Small grass Nassella leucotricha(?) with Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis, Clavicipitaceae, Balansieae, ergot) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 202223900 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Close-up of small grass Nassella leucotricha(?) with Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis, Clavicipitaceae, Balansieae, ergot) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 202223900 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Aborted flowering culms of infected grass Nassella leucotricha(?) with stromata and sphacelia (conidial stage) of Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis, Clavicipitaceae, Balansieae, ergot) in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 202223900 Farm-to-Market Road 1155, Washington, Texas 77880, United States
Section through Sphacelia (conidial stage) of Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis) collected from grass in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 2022
Section through ascostroma with embedded perithecia of Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis) at low magnification, collected from grass in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 2022
Stromata with immature asci of Texas wintergrass fungus (Atkinsonella texensis) collected from grass in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Washington, Texas, May 22, 2022Observations of Atkinsonella texensis in East and Central Texas reveal the fungus infecting small grass Nassella leucotricha at the edge of prairies. The fungus forms protruding black ascostromata that enclose upper leaves of the host plant. Infected grass exhibits aborted flowering culms with stromata and sphacelia, the conidial stage of the fungus. Close-up examinations show sections through sphacelia and ascostroma with embedded perithecia, as well as stromata with immature asci. The fungus was found in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, specifically on Wildflower Loop Trail, on May 22, 2022. Multiple observations confirm the presence of Atkinsonella texensis in this region, providing insight into its morphology and host interactions. The fungus's impact on the host plant is evident, with infected grass displaying distinct changes in growth and development.
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