Puccinia behenis

Description

Puccinia behenis is a rust fungus that affects the leaves of various Silene (Campion) species.  There is no host plant alternation, and only uredinia and blackish-brown telia are produced, on both sides of the leaves.  It is not considered to be a gall-causer (Redfern & Shirley, 2023). 

The teliospores are two-celled and on a short pedicel that is not persistent; the apical wall of the top cell is not thickened, unlike P arenariae.

Similar Species

Puccinia arenariae also on Campions, and almost identical in the field; microscopic examination of teliospores is needed

Identification difficulty

host/microscopy

Recording advice

Photograph the rust on the host.  Ensure you have noted the host-plant species in your comments.  If the rust is on campion, microscopic examination is needed.

Habitat

Mostly on Campion (Silene)

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

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Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

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Species profile

Species group:
fungus
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Pucciniales
Family:
Pucciniaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
12
First record:
24/06/2016 (Grimes, Martin)
Last record:
20/03/2026 (Timms, Sue)

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