# 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. - **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Cedar-Apple Rust thrives in areas with cedar and apple trees, often found in forests and gardens. - **Also known as:** Apple Rust, Cedar Rust, Gymnosporangium ![Cedar-Apple Rust](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/2012-06-23_Gymnosporangium_juniperi-virginianae_Schweinitz_230353.jpg&width=800) Photo: This image was created by user Andrew Durso (amdurso) at Mushroom Observer , a source for mycological images. You can contact this user here, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2012-06-23_Gymnosporangium_juniperi-virginianae_Schweinitz_230353.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Fungi - **Phylum:** Basidiomycota - **Class:** Pucciniomycetes - **Order:** Pucciniales - **Family:** Gymnosporangiaceae - **Genus:** Gymnosporangium ## 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 - **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. - **Jelly Spore Launcher:** Cedar-Apple Rust has amazing orange, jelly-like "horns" that help it launch spores into the air when it's wet. - **Leaf Stainer:** Cedar-Apple Rust can create bright yellow-orange spots on apple leaves, helping it absorb nutrients from the plant. ## Measurements & details - **Edible:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cedar-Apple Rust? Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Bean Hill Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bean-hill-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Chelsea Parade Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chelsea-parade-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Amesbury and Salisbury Mills Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/amesbury-and-salisbury-mills-village-historic-district) — Massachusetts, US · Historic District - [Avery Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/avery-street-historic-district) — West Virginia, US · Historic District - [Bedford Depot](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bedford-depot) — Massachusetts, US · Historic Site - [Coleman Station Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coleman-station-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District [View all places to see Cedar-Apple Rust](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cedar-apple-rust) ## More Fungi - [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*) - [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*) --- Source: [Cedar-Apple Rust: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cedar-apple-rust)