Melampsorella caryophyllacearum
Fir broom rust
Description
Fir broom rust infects the cambium of fir trees through the bark of young branches and causes cankerous tumors in the shape of nodes and even galls. This neoplasm develops for a few years. If buds are infected by the mycelium, witches’ broom starts to develop. The witches’ broom needles, which are yellowish and shorter, are a host for aecia. In autumn the needles fall. Harmful effects occur mostly after infection of the trunk because the swellings considerably impair wood quality. From the pathological point of view, they are a gateway for wood-damaging fungi. Herbs of the family Caryophyllaceae like Cerastium spp., Stellaria spp., Arenaria spp. and Malachium spp. are an alternate host for the rust.
Symptom
Cankerous tumors in the shape of nodes and even galls.
Tree Species: Fir
Part of a plant- attacked: Tree trunk, Branch
Pest significance: Very harmful
Pest Category: Fungi
Invasive Species: No
Present in EU: Yes
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There are a total of 8 observations of the species in the system



