Melampsora lini
There is no host alternation with this species of rust. On Purging or Fairy Flax (Linum catharticum) yellow uredinia are formed, on stems and both sides of the leaves; telia are present later, but there are no spermogonia or aecia. On other species of Flax, aecia and spermogonia are present as well.
There is some disagreement regarding taxonomy; some authors consider this species only affects Linum catharticum, with Melampsora liniperda being the species that affects other Linum, including commercially grown species.
This can be a pest species on commercial crops of flax or linseed; it can cause severe losses in seed yield as well as reducing fibre quality in flax plants grown for linen production.
Status in Britain is not known due to lack of records.
sue
New Lount, old railtracks area
20 June 2022
on Linum catharticum
sue
New Lount, old railtracks area
20 June 2022
on Linum catharticum
Graham Calow
Ellistown
27 June 2011
first record for VC55 - on Fairy Flax
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- Flax Rust
- Species group:
- Fungi
- Kingdom:
- Fungi
- Order:
- Pucciniales
- Family:
- Melampsoraceae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 3
- First record:
- 27/06/2011 (Calow, Graham)
- Last record:
- 20/06/2022 (Timms, Sue)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.