On the status of the smut genus liroa cif.

Summary This paper embodies the results obtained through a critical examination of the taxonomic position of the gall-forming smut genusLiroaCif. On the basis of these studies it is proposed to conserve the nameLiroaCif. for this gallforming smut fungus. The formation of inverted lunate type of sori is a distinctive character of the genus separating it from the other smut genera. The chlamydospore formation in a centripetal fashion is characteristic of the family Ustilaginaceae and not Graphiolaceae.Part of the work submitted to the Poona University in fulfilment of Ph. D. degree, 1959, by the junior author.