Puccinia circaeae

Fairly certain on this one based on previous posts. On Circaea lutetiana. Other possibility on this host is Pucciniastrum circaeae but macroscopically look quite different.

Quite right Mark

the less common Puccinia circaeae – UK Fungi proving its worth once again

best wishes

Chris

Is it a case of being less common locally, Chris? – or is there something that the record numbers alone don’t explain?

I just had a look on FRDBI, and from that, it would suggest that Puccinia circaeae is the more common, having 657 records.

http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/gbsyns.asp?intGBNum=1840” class=”bbcode_url”>http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/gbsyns.asp?intGBNum=1840

With Pucciniastrum circaeae having 463 records.

http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/gbsyns.asp?intGBNum=1100” class=”bbcode_url”>http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/gbsyns.asp?intGBNum=1100

Regards,

Mike.

All I know is that in Yorkshire the Pucciniastrum is much more common, indeed I’m surprised if I don’t find it on good patches of the host at this time of year. I suspect it’s down to visibility and people taking the trouble to check. Yesterday I had a look at the first patch of Circaea I came across and there was the Pucciniastrum, and in several other places in the same area of woodland; but often the leaves were only very slightly discoloured and bore very few uredinia (visible – to me at least – only by checking with a handlens).

The Puccinia on the other hand is much more visible and easily spotted from above (not the case with the Pucciniastrum). It will probably also come to the attention of people looking for plant galls, who are not primarily mycologists, but who can run it down in the excellent AIDGAP gall book.

That’s my take on it.

Best wishes

Chris