Tongues of Fire - Gymnosporangium clavariiforme

The fruiting bodies produced by the telial stage of the gall-causing fungal rust Gymnosporangium clavariiforme and known as Tongues of Fire can be quite spectacular, growing to 1 cm long and rich orange in colour.  In dry conditions they shrivel and are inconspicuous; in rainy weather they swell up and become orange, appearing in clusters growing directly from the wood of the branches of the primary host, Wild Juniper (Juniperus communis). 

The alternate host is Hawthorn (Crataegus) and other woody plants in Rosaceae; the aecia form on leaf undersides, usually on swollen midrib; occasionally on a fruit. They have long, frayed, pale fringes (peridia). 

Very similar to Gymnosporangium confusum on cultivated Junipers (e.g. Juniperus sabinae); the aecial stages on Hawthorn etc. cannot be distinguished from field photos. 

You must identify the species of Juniper with the telial stage

Records from Britain are widespread but scattered and local, relying on the presence of the host plant Wild Juniper.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutlland. The Fosse Meadows record of 25th March 2011 was the first record for Tongues of Fire in VC55, on planted Wild Juniper .