Melampsora lini

Alternative names
Melampsora liniperda
Description

There is no host alternation with this species of rust.  On Purging or Fairy Flax (Linum catharticum) yellow uredinia are formed, on stems and both sides of the leaves; telia are present later, but there are no spermogonia or aecia.  On other species of Flax, aecia and spermogonia are present as well.

There is some disagreement regarding taxonomy; some authors consider this species only affects Linum catharticum, with Melampsora liniperda being the species that affects other Linum, including commercially grown species. 

 

Identification difficulty
Life History

This can be a pest species on commercial crops of flax or linseed; it can cause severe losses in seed yield as well as reducing fibre quality in flax plants grown for linen production.

UK Status

Status in Britain is not known due to lack of records.

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

Common names
Flax Rust
Species group:
Fungi
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Pucciniales
Family:
Melampsoraceae
Records on NatureSpot:
3
First record:
27/06/2011 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
20/06/2022 (Timms, Sue)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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