Pucciniales
Author: Fritz Geller-Grimm
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pucciniales - (rust fungi)
The rust fungi are obligate plant parasites with many species causing serious diseases on crops. They often have a complex life cycle with two hosts, one for asexual reproduction and another one for sexual reproduction. Both reproduction forms involve the formation of different spore types. See the page on the genus Puccinia for a description of the sexual and asexual reproduction forms (on two different host plants) and the formation of up to 5 different spore forms.
Note:
This page only deals with Pucciniales important as crop pathogens. For beneficial Pucciniales, those species infecting weeds and useful as biocontrol agents see the Pucciniales (weed pathogens).
The following genera and individual species are currently entered under Pucciniales:
