The genus Vankya (Urocystidaceae) revisited

An historical account of the smut genus Vankya and its type species, V. ornithogali. is given. It is apparent that V. ornithogali does not infect Ornithogalum, only species of Gagea, and that the genus Vankya is restricted to host plants in the Liliaceae s.str. It is shown for the first time that there are sterile cells between the spores of species of Vankya. Detailed descriptions of Vankya and its three species, including the new V. lloydiae on Lloydia triflora, are provided as well as synonyms, host plant ranges, geographic distributions and a key to the species. A lectotype is designated for Ustilago heufleri.