A reference that describes the 400 known smut fungi (Ustilaginales) of Europe, belonging to 28 genera. A further 70 species, still unknown in Europe, are also described. Eighty-two doubtful or excluded taxa are also presented. The descriptions are complemented by 220 drawings of diseased plants and by some 770 photographs of spores as seen in LM, SEM, or TEM. Keys to genera and species, as well as a host plant/smut fungus list and a fungus index are compiled. Uncertainties or gaps in the present knowledge of certain species or groups of taxa are mentioned. For economically important smuts control measures are also given. The cited literature list contains some 2,700 papers. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.