Interestingly and curiously, the species of ascomycetes that are the main decomposers of leaves of smooth cordgrass are in genera that are well known as pathogens of grasses, especially commercial cereals (Phaeosphaeria, Mycosphaerella). For example, Phaeosphaeria avenaria (first image below) causes a blotch disease of oats. Buergenerula spartinae, a leaf-sheath ascomycete of smooth cordgrass, is now known to be very closely related to the ascomycetous agent of take-all disease of cereals (Gaeumannomyces graminis; see diseased wheat roots and shoot bases in second image below). The connection between B. spartinae and G. graminis was discovered via comparison of rDNA/ITS of both species (Buchan et al., 2002, Microbial Ecology, in press). Images courtesy of Australian government agencies.