Cedar-Apple Rust
ExploreFungi
Cedar-Apple Rust
gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae
Cedar-Apple Rust is a fascinating fungus that affects cedar and apple trees. It has a unique life cycle that involves both trees, making it a special part of nature's story.
Habitat: Cedar-Apple Rust thrives in areas with cedar and apple trees, often found in forests and gardens.
Appearance
The Cedar-Apple Rust has striking bright orange, jelly-like galls that emerge from juniper branches. These galls sprout gelatinous "spore horns" during wet spring weather, making them look like alien sea creatures. It also creates yellow-orange spots on apple leaves.
KingdomFungiPhylumBasidiomycotaClassPucciniomycetesOrderPuccinialesFamilyGymnosporangiaceaeGenusGymnosporangium
Category
FungiRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
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Interesting facts
The strange growths it causes on apple leaves are called "rust spots" and can make the fruit bumpy!
This fungus needs two completely different trees, a cedar and an apple, to finish its life!
Tiny, sticky spores from this fungus can travel for miles on the wind to find a new home.
When it rains, its galls on cedar trees amazingly transform into giant, gelatinous orange blobs!
Special abilities
Ability
Host Jumper
Cedar-Apple Rust can jump between two different types of host plants, junipers and apple trees, because it needs both to complete its life cycle.
Ability
Jelly Spore Launcher
Cedar-Apple Rust has amazing orange, jelly-like "horns" that help it launch spores into the air when it's wet.
Ability
Leaf Stainer
Cedar-Apple Rust can create bright yellow-orange spots on apple leaves, helping it absorb nutrients from the plant.
Measurements & details
- Edibility
- inedible
- Growth Substrate
- other
- Season
- Spring
- Spore Color
- Orange-brown
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana
Forms galls on its branches.
parasitizes
Apple
Malus domestica
Causes rust spots on leaves and fruit.
parasitizes
Washington Hawthorn
Crataegus phaenopyrum
Can also infect hawthorn leaves and berries.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Decomposer
Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Also known as
Apple RustCedar RustGymnosporangium
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar-Apple Rust edible?
inedible
Where is Cedar-Apple Rust usually found?
Cedar-Apple Rust thrives in areas with cedar and apple trees, often found in forests and gardens.
What does Cedar-Apple Rust grow on?
other
When is Cedar-Apple Rust in season?
Spring
What color are Cedar-Apple Rust spores?
Orange-brown
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