Mint Rust - Puccinia menthae

Description

Puccinia menthae is a rust fungus which galls the leaves of various Mints (Mentha aquatica, etc.), and occasionally Marjoram (Origanum vulgare) or Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare) and other species in the Lamiaceae family. Young leaves at shoot tip become thickened, distorted, with purple patches carrying aecia and spermogonia; later uredinia and telia are present.

Identification difficulty

host

Recording advice

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

Habitat

on plants in the Lamiaceae family, usually recorded on mint (Mentha)

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

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Species profile

Common names
Mint Rust
Species group:
fungus
Kingdom:
Fungi
Order:
Pucciniales
Family:
Pucciniaceae
Records on NatureSpot:
25
First record:
23/08/2016 (Grimes, Martin)
Last record:
03/11/2025 (Timms, Sue)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

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