# Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust (*uromyces ari-triphylli*)

Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust is a fascinating fungus that loves to grow on the Jack-in-the-pulpit plant. It's like a little secret hidden in the forest, and it helps the plant stay healthy!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Moist forests and woodlands.
- **Also known as:** Ari-triphylli rust, Jack-in-the-pulpit fungus, Pulpit rust

![Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Uromyces_ari-triphylli_619686.jpg&width=800)

Photo: This image was created by user weed lady (Sylvia ) 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:Uromyces_ari-triphylli_619686.jpg)

## Appearance

The Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust appears as small, raised orange-yellow spots or pustules, often powdery, on the leaves and stems of its host plant. These distinct blotches can sometimes merge, turning the affected plant parts yellow, making it visually different from healthy green foliage.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Basidiomycota
- **Class:** Pucciniomycetes
- **Order:** Pucciniales
- **Family:** Pucciniaceae
- **Genus:** Uromyces

## Interesting facts

- If a plant gets too much rust, it might not be able to make its own food very well!
- It specifically attacks only one type of plant, the interesting Jack-in-the-Pulpit!
- Some rusts can change colors of leaves, making them look like they've been painted!
- This rust fungus is so tiny, you usually need a magnifying glass to see its individual parts!

## Special abilities

- **Plant Power Drain:** Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust can absorb nutrients directly from its host plant, weakening it over time.
- **Windy Traveler:** Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust has tiny spores that are easily carried by the wind, helping them spread to new plants.
- **Winter Survivor:** Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust can produce special thick-walled spores that help them survive harsh winter conditions.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 0.05-0.5 cm
- **Edible:** inedible
- **Growth Substrate:** other
- **Season:** Spring-fall
- **Spore Color:** Orange-yellow

## Ecological connections

- **Parasitizes:** [Jack-in-the-Pulpit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jack-in-the-pulpit) (*Arisaema triphyllum*) — It absorbs nutrients directly from its living cells.
- **Parasitizes:** Rust Hyperparasite Fungus (*Tuberculina persicina*) — This tiny fungus can grow on and weaken the rust itself.
- **Depends on:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — It eats the berries of its host plant, which can be weakened.

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [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.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Jack-In-The-Pulpit 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.

### How tall is Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust?

0.05-0.5 cm

### Is Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust edible?

inedible

### Where is Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust usually found?

Moist forests and woodlands.

### What does Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust grow on?

other

### When is Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust in season?

Spring-fall

### What color are Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust spores?

Orange-yellow

## Where to spot

- [Stafford Hollow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stafford-hollow) — Connecticut, US · Neighborhood
- [Martin Luther King Junior Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/martin-luther-king-junior-park) — Virginia, US · Park

## 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*)

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Source: [Jack-In-The-Pulpit Rust: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/jack-in-the-pulpit-rust)