Botrytis what?


Searched for some topics about wine and came to this page on wikipedia. You know, alot of hyperlinks everywhere, so i just clicked at whim.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botrytis_cinerea

An extract from the article:

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Botrytis cinerea is a fungus that affects many plant species, although its most notable hosts may be wine grapes. In viticulture, it is commonly known as botrytis bunch rot; in horticulture, it is usually called grey mould or gray mold. The fungus gives rise to two different kinds of infections on grapes. The first, grey rot, is the result of consistently wet or humid conditions, and typically results in the loss of the affected bunches. The second, noble rot, occurs when drier conditions follow wetter, and can result in distinctive sweet dessert wines, such as Sauternes or the Aszú of Tokaj. The species name Botrytis cinerea is derived from the Latin for "grapes like ashes"; although poetic, the "grapes" disappointingly refers to the bunching of the fungal spores on their conidiophores, and "ashes" just refers to the greyish colour of the spores en masse. The fungus is usually referred to by its anamorph (asexual form) name, because the sexual phase is rarely observed. The teleomorph (sexual form) is an ascomycete, Botryotinia fuckeliana (see taxonomy box).

It is also an allergen.

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Hmm did u guys see it??? Lets have a closer look:

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The fungus is usually referred to by its anamorph (asexual form) name, because the sexual phase is rarely observed. The teleomorph (sexual form) is an ascomycete, Botryotinia fuckeliana (see taxonomy box).

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Scenario 1:

Reporter at botany forum: "So, Professor XXX, what do you think is the possible cause for the sexual reproduction of the fungus Botrytis cinerea?"

"Hmm, the B. cinerea fungus reproduces... blah blah blah... and its sexual form has the name (looks down at his notes) WHAT???? Er..."

Reporter: "So the sexual form has the name..."

Next day newspapers: PROFESSOR SWEARS IN PUBLIC

Scenario 2:

Female researcher: Hey we've got a new species of Botrytis in the lab. Very excited to go look at it..

Male researcher: Hmm, so after we look at this, can u go and have dinner and a movie with me...

Female researcher: ...and this new species is called B. f*ckeliana!

Male researcher: (gulps)... er... what did u say? Did u say we can....

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U get the idea.

Why do some scientists name funguses with such names? Poor fungus, it must have contaminated the wrong petri dish. But sounds suitable, since it must have referred to the sexual phase. Maybe the guy who named it was thinking of something sexual at the point.

Haha... just for laughs.