Epichloë species and their close relatives, the Neotyphodium species, are systemic and constitutive symbionts of cool-season grasses (Poaceae subfamily Pooideae), and belong to the fungal family Clavicipitaceae.
Oats are a species within the grass tribe Aveneae, which is in the Pooideae subfamily along with Triticeae (contains wheat, rye, barley and many other genera).
The symbiosis appears to have existed already during the early grass evolution that has spawned today's pooid grasses.
Pooideae |