Chrysomyxa pirolata | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Basidiomycota |
Class: | Pucciniomycetes |
Order: | Pucciniales |
Family: | Coleosporiaceae |
Genus: | Chrysomyxa |
Species: | C. pirolata
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Binomial name | |
Chrysomyxa pirolata Wint.
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The spruce cone rust, caused by the rust fungus Chrysomyxa pirolata Wint., affects spruces in 3 continents, including white spruce in Canada (Hiratsuka 1987).[1] Alternate hosts of the fungus are several species among 3 genera of wintergreen: Pyrola spp., Orthilia spp., and Moneses spp. (Ziller 1974, Sutherland et al. 1984).[2][3] Diseased cones open prematurely and orange-yellow aeciospores are sometimes produced in such quantity as to color the forest floor and lake surfaces. Up to half of a cone crop can be affected, and most of the affected cones do not produce viable seed. Some localities commonly experience damage to 20% to 30% of cone crops (Hiratsuka 1987),[1] a factor to be considered in the siting of seed orchards.