Puccinia hieracii

Alternative names
Probably a species complex, best treated in a broad sense as 'sensu lato'.  Galls on the above hosts are treated as this in Redfern & Shirley (2023).  The complex includes the following named species that may be identical with or varieties of P. hieracii; see 'Plant Parasites of Europe' website for more details: 

Knapweeds (Centaurea), Puccinia jaceae
Cat's-ear (Hypochaeris), Puccinia hypochaeridis
Mouse-ear Hawkweed (Pilosella), Puccinia piloselloidearum
Chicory (Cichorium intybus), Puccinia cichorii
Dandelions (Taraxacum), Puccinia taraxaci 
Hawkweeds (Hieracium), Puccinia hieracii
Hawkbits (Leontodon and Scorzoneroides), Puccinia leontodontis
Ox-tongues (Picris and Helminthotheca), Puccinia picridis
Saw-wort (Serratula tinctoria), Puccinia tinctoriicola
Description

The rust fungus Puccinia hieracii causes galls in several Asteraceae genus - e.g. Knapweeds (Centaurea),  Hawkweeds (Hieracium), Hawkbits (Leontodon/Scorzoneroides), Ox-tongues (Helminthotheca/Picris), Mouse-ear Hawkweed (Pilosella), Saw-wort (Serratula) and Dandelion (Taraxacum).     

Typically, the gall is a thickened deformed leaf with reddish-yellow spots bearing spermogonia, followed by uredinia and telia.  [N.B.: it is not clear if aecia are produced; in Redfern and Shirley (2023) this stage in mentioned; 'Plant Parasites of Europe' states that aecia are missing.]

Similar Species

Similar species of rust, some gall-causing, can occur on these species - e.g. Puccinia calcitrapae on Knapweed.  Puccinia variabilis on Dandelions has small orange aecia but is not thought to be a gall-causer. 

Identification difficulty

host/microscopy

Recording advice

Photograph the rust on the host.  Ensure you have noted the host-plant species in your comments.  On some hosts, microscopic examination may be needed.

Habitat

on various grassland or waste-ground species in the Asteraceae

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

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

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
fungus
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Pucciniales
Family:
Pucciniaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
24
First record:
27/05/2016 (Grimes, Martin)
Last record:
10/10/2023 (lemmon, roy)

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