Mallow Rust - Puccinia malvacearum

Alternative names
Hollyhock Rust
Description

Puccinia malvacearum is a rust fungus that galls the leaves and petioles of members of the Malvaceae family including Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) and Mallows (Malva sylvestris, etc.).  There is no host alternation, and only telia are produced, on the leaf underside.  These are pale orange-brown to begin with, becoming darker brown and then grey as they mature.  There is a corresponding yellow spot on leaf upperside.  

Identification difficulty

host

Recording advice

Photograph the rust on the host.  Ensure you have noted the host-plant species in your comments

Habitat

Waste gound, field edges, roadsides, grasslands and gardens: on plants in the Malvaceae family, including Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), Musk Mallow (Malva moschata), Tree Mallow (Lavatera) and Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea)

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Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

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Species profile

Common names
Mallow Rust, Hollyhock Rust
Species group:
fungus
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Pucciniales
Family:
Pucciniaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
108
First record:
31/03/2014 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
23/06/2025 (lemmon, roy)

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% of records within its species group

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