Epichloë aotearoae

Epichloë aotearoae is a systemic and seed-transmissible symbiont of Echinopogon ovatus, a grass endemic to Australia and New Zealand. It was originally described as a Neotyphodium species in 2002^[1] but moved to Epichloë in 2014.^[2]

Epichloë aotearoae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Division:	Ascomycota
Class:	Sordariomycetes
Order:	Hypocreales
Family:	Clavicipitaceae
Genus:	Epichloë
Species:	E. aotearoae
Binomial name
Epichloë aotearoae (C.D. Moon, C.O. Miles & Schardl) Leuchtm. & Schardl
Synonyms
Neotyphodium aotearoae C.D. Moon, C.O. Miles & Schardl

The fungus produces the anti-insect loline alkaloids. Unlike many other anamorphic Epichloë species, E. aotearoae does not appear to be a hybrid. Its closest teleomorphic (sexual) relative appears to be Epichloë typhina.^[1]