These fungi are usually host specific, only infecting particular plant species. Look out for any plants that appear a bit sickly or have distortions – they may well be infected with rust.
Puccinia urticata (nettle rust)
Found on Urtica dioica (stinging nettle)
Distorts leaves and stems
Pale with orange circles
Puccinia punctiformis (creeping thistle rust)
Found on Cirsium arvense (creeping thistle)
Orange or brown, covers underside of leaves
Floral smell
Melampsorella symphyti (comfrey rust)
Found on Symphytum species (comfrey)
Orange, covers underside of leaves
Produces dusty spores
Puccinia lagenophorae (groundsel rust)
Found on Senecio vulgaris (groundsel)
Orange circles on stems and leaves
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Collect data for the Botanical Society of Scotland Urban Flora of Scotland Project
© Heather Forbes/BSS
Botany in Scotland 