Puccinia brachypodii var. arrhenatheri
The fungus Puccinia brachypodii var. arrhenatheri is a gall-causing rust fungus affecting Berberis, which may eventually causing the formation of witches' brooms. Tiny spermogonia and aecia are carried on the leaf undersides.
The primary hosts are grasses, bearing uredinia and telia, but these are not gall-causers on this host.
Puccinia graminis also causes galls on Berberis or Mahonia, with grasses (especially Lolium) as the alternating host
Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.
It seems to be fairly widespread, but sometimes rather local in Britain. The galls on Berberis are very rare (ref. Redfern a& Shirley 2023)
Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.
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
- Species group:
- Fungi
- Kingdom:
- Fungi
- Order:
- Pucciniales
- Family:
- Pucciniaceae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 1
- First record:
- 11/08/2020 (lemmon, roy)
- Last record:
- 11/08/2020 (lemmon, roy)
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.