Akademik

a smut fungus attacking Indian corn

: a smut attacking Indian corn — compare boil smut, head smut

a disease of corn caused by a fungus, Ustilago maydis, and characterized by blackish, powdery masses of spores on the affected parts of the plant.

[1880-85]

corn smut,

1. a disease in growing corn produced by a fungus that fills the grains with black, sootlike, powdery spores.

2. this fungus, once used medicinally.