Species

Puccinia freycinetiae

Common Name(s)

None

Qualifiers

2009 - OL

Authority

McKenzie

Family

Pucciniaceae, Basidiomycetes

Flora Category

Fungi - Native

Distribution

This rust fungus has been found only once at Oakura, Taranaki, in March 1983.

Features

Cinnamon-brown pustules (uredinia) occur mainly on the lower (abaxial) surface of leaves. They are pulverulent (powdery) and up to 0.75 mm long. The urediniospores are (25–)27–33(–40) x 22–25(–27) µm, globose or broadly ellipsoidal, golden to cinnamon-brown. The spore wall is echinulate and 2.5-3 µm thick. Each spore has 2–3 equatorial germ pores, with inconspicuous caps. The telia are similar to the uredinia and arise from the same sori. They are blackish-brown. The teliospores are (32–)36–45(–50) x (15–)17–20(–21) µm, 2-celled, and constricted at the cross wall. They are golden-brown apically, paler basally, with the upper cell subglobose or ellipsoidal, and the lower cell obovoid or ellipsoidal. The walls are smooth, and 0.5–1 µm thick at the sides and 4–8(–10) µm at the apex. Each teliospore has a persistent basal pedicel that is pale brown, up to 25 µm long and 5–7(–12) µm wide.

Fruiting

The single known specimen of this fungus was collected in March.

Threats

Although the host is common and widespread in New Zealand, the rust is known from only the one specimen.

Substrate

This rust fungus is an obligate parasite on leaves of Freycinetia banksii.

Where Held

PDD (holotype)

Extant Collections

1


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This page last updated on 18 Jan 2010