Coleosporium elephantopodis is a rust fungus that infects plants in the genus Elephantopus, commonly known as elephant's foot. In East and Central Texas, it has been found on Elephantopus nudatus and Elephantopus carolinianus, causing yellow to orange spores to form on the underside of leaves. The fungus is typically active from June to November, with peak sporulation occurring in August and September. It is widely distributed throughout the region, with reports from counties including Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Houston, and Leon.
Needle rust fungus (Coleosporium elephantopi, Coleosporium elephantopodis) on basal leaves of elephant foot plant (elephantopus tomentosus(?)) on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, July 21, 2018
Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Leaves of elephant foot plant (elephantopus tomentosus(?)) with needle rust fungus (Coleosporium elephantopi, Coleosporium elephantopodis) on Caney Creek section of Lone Star Hiking Trail in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, July 21, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Pine needle rust fungus (Coleosporium elephantopi, Coleosporium elephantopodis) on hairy elephant foot (Elephantopus tomentosus(?)) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 27, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Pine needle rust fungus (Coleosporium elephantopi, Coleosporium elephantopodis) on basal leaves of hairy elephant foot (Elephantopus tomentosus(?)) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 27, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Close up of pine needle rust fungus (Coleosporium elephantopi, Coleosporium elephantopodis) on hairy elephant foot on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 27, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Wilted basal leaves of hairy elephant foot with pine needle rust fungus (Coleosporium elephantopi, Coleosporium elephantopodis) on Caney Creek Trail (Little Lake Creek Loop Trail) in Sam Houston National Forest, near Huntsville. Texas, July 27, 2018Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery, TX 77356, USA
Spores of rust fungus Coleosporium elephantopodis at low magnification collected in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 2, 2022
Spores of rust fungus Coleosporium elephantopodis collected in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 2, 2022
Rust fungus Coleosporium elephantopodis on leaves of elephant foot plant near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 18, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Close-up of rust fungus Coleosporium elephantopodis on leaves of elephant foot plant near Pole Creek on North Wilderness Trail of Little Lake Creek Wilderness in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 18, 2022Lone Star Hiking Trail, Montgomery County, Texas, United States
Spores of rust fungus Coleosporium elephantopodis collected in Sam Houston National Forest north from Montgomery. Texas, June 18, 2022Observations of the fungus Coleosporium elephantopodis in East and Central Texas were made on multiple occasions. The fungus was found on the basal leaves of elephant foot plants (Elephantopus tomentosus) in Sam Houston National Forest near Huntsville, Texas, on July 21 and 27, 2018. It was also observed on hairy elephant foot plants on Caney Creek Trail and Little Lake Creek Loop Trail. The fungus caused wilted leaves and produced spores, which were collected and examined at low magnification. Similar observations were made in June 2022, in the same forest, with the fungus found on leaves of elephant foot plants near Pole Creek. Close-up examinations of the fungus and its spores were also conducted, providing further insights into its characteristics. The consistent presence of Coleosporium elephantopodis in this region suggests it is a common pathogen of elephant foot plants in East and Central Texas.
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