Hemlock - Blueberry rust

Hemlock - Blueberry rust - Aecia on the lower surface of hemlock needles
  • Latin name: Naohidemyces vaccinii (Wint.) Sato, Katsuya et Hiratsuka
  • French name: Rouille de la pruche et du bleuet
  • Division: Basidiomycota
  • Class: Uredinales
Description

Micro-habitat(s)

Needle

Distribution

Western Canada

Damage, symptoms and biology

Damage to either host is negligible and localized in areas where hemlock regeneration grows intermingled with huckleberries and blueberries.

Other information

Until recently, this rust was considered a part of the genus Pucciniastrum. However, because of the unique structure of its aecia, it has been placed in the genus Naohidemyces. Another needle rust, Melampsora epitea, which is also found on hemlock, could be confused with N. vaccinii. The aecia of M. epitea are "loose," with no peridium covering the aeciospores, while those of N. vaccinii have a dome-shaped covering with a centrally located hole (ostiole) through which spores are released.

Canadian Forest Service Publications

Hemlock - Blueberry rust

Information on host(s)

Main host(s)

Eastern hemlock, mountain hemlock, western hemlock

Photos
  • Hemlock - Blueberry rust Discoloured hemlock needles resulting from Naohidemyces vaccinii infection
  • Hemlock - Blueberry rust Discoloured hemlock needles resulting from Naohidemyces vaccinii infection (upper needle sufaces)
  • Hemlock - Blueberry rust Discoloured hemlock needles resulting from Naohidemyces vaccinii infection (lower needle surfaces)
  • Hemlock - Blueberry rust Aecia on the lower surface of hemlock needles
  • Hemlock - Blueberry rust Uredinia on Vaccinium (blueberry)
  • Hemlock - Blueberry rust Echinulate aeciospores of N. vaccinii and dome-shaped aecium
  • Hemlock - Blueberry rust Echinulate urediniospores
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