Willowherb Rust - Puccinia pulverulenta

Description

The rust causes galls on the leaves of Willowherbs (Epilobium) and the whole plant appears paler than usual, with curled leaves.  There is no host alternation.  Raised yellowish blotches bear orange aecia, usually on underside of leaf; brown uredinia and telia are present later.  

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Where willowherbs are plentiful.

When to see it

Summer

Life History

The fungus releases orange spores from the pustules and these are spread by the wind to initiate new infections on leaves.

UK Status

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

VC55 Status

Thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Pucciniales
Family:
Pucciniaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
7
First record:
14/06/2013 (Cooper, Barbara)
Last record:
29/07/2020 (lemmon, roy)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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