Eranthis 2021

[Maggi Young]

That's as good  a way as any, Guff.

[Guff]

Maggi. thanks.

A couple years ago I had bought 10 bulbs each of two different types of Eranthis and they never showed above ground. Seeing flowers for the first time, they are nice plants and the honey bees seem to like them. Thought I would grow more from seed.

[Joakim B]

Got a few different ones and they flowered well
Yesterday I saw that 1 of the plants had strange black spots on two of the leaves
I tried to wash it away but it did not go away totally
Anyone know what it is?

[Gail]

Yes, sadly! It is a fungal infection, Urocystis eranthidis (Winter Aconite Smut) Spores of all of the smut species can contaminate the soil for long periods of time. There are no fungicides available for the control of smut diseases for amateurs in the UK. Best to dig up and dispose of infected plants (and surrounding soil) to prevent it spreading to the rest of your collection.
I moved county and so far that has been successful!
These were in Suffolk;

[Joakim B]

Thanks for the info Gail
I removed the affected foliage and later I removed other foliage that got damaged a few weeks later. I will continue to look out for any more sign of any black spots. It is my only plant of the sort so would like to keep if there is any chance. There are a lot of the normal plants around here and never seen any infected before.
If more tendency I will remove the plant and the soil around it.