Widespread Distribution of Endophytes in the Poaceae. J. F. White, Jr., Department of Botany, University of Texas, Austin 78712. Plant Dis. 71:340-342. Accepted for publication 18 September 1986. Copyright 1987 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-71-0340.

Herbarium collections representing about 100 genera of grasses were assessed for the presence of fungal endophytes. Twenty-two species in nine grass genera were found to contain typical endophytic mycelium. Two of these species, Melica decumbens and Stipa robusta, are reported as being toxic to cattle. Field studies suggest that both choke-inducing and non-choke-inducing forms are common in grasses. Most isolates are referable to Acremonium section albo-lanosa; however, sterility of the S. robusta isolate prevents definite classification.