Dwarf bunt (Tilletia controversa) is a fungal pathogen. It was first detected in Colorado in 1993.
Dwarf bunt infects winter-sown wheat in areas with extended snow cover. Dwarf bunt gets its name because infected plants are stunted in growth. The kernels are replaced with smut balls, which have dark black spores.
For more information about this plant pest, see the CABI data sheet.