Synonym: Pleomeris eatoniae.
Puccinia eatoniae is a species of rust fungus that infects plants in the genus Eutrochium, formerly known as Eupatorium. In East and Central Texas, it has been found on Eutrochium dubium and Eutrochium fistulosum, commonly known as joe-pye weeds. The fungus produces orange to yellow spores on the underside of leaves, often causing defoliation and reducing plant growth. It is typically found in moist areas, such as stream banks and woodland edges, and is active during the summer and early fall months.
Seedlings of spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma, Boraginaceae) with rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) near Racoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, March 7, 2022
Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Leaves of spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma, Boraginaceae) with rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) near Racoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, March 7, 2022Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Side view of seedlings of spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma, Boraginaceae) with rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) near Racoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, March 7, 2022Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Young plant of spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma, Boraginaceae) with rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) near Racoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, March 7, 2022
Close-up of spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma, Boraginaceae) with rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) near Racoon Run Trail taken from Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, March 7, 2022
Urediniospores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) from scorpion grass collected from Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, March 7, 2022
Urediniospores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) from scorpion grass collected from Lick Creek Park 3/7/2022. College Station, Texas, March 8, 2022
Spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma) with rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 12, 2022Lakeview Lane, Burleson County, Texas, 77879, United States
Underside of a leaf of spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma) with rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, March 12, 2022Lakeview Lane, Burleson County, Texas, 77879, United States
Rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) on underside of a leaf of spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma, Boraginaceae) at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 3, 2022Lakeview Lane, Burleson County, Texas, 77879, United States
Spores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) at low magnification from spring scorpion grass at low magnification, collected at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 3, 2022
Spores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) from spring scorpion grass under a microscope showing their texture, collected at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 3, 2022
Spores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) from spring scorpion grass collected at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 3, 2022
Textured surface of spores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) from spring scorpion grass collected at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 3, 2022
Orange aeciospores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) from spring scorpion grass collected at Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. Texas, April 3, 2022
Seedlings of spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma, Boraginaceae) with rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) on sewage line right of way near Racoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 9, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Leaves of spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma, Boraginaceae) with rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) on sewage line right of way near Racoon Run Trail in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 9, 2023Racoon Run Trail, College Station, Brazos County, Texas, United States
Spores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) collected a day before in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 10, 2023
Spores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) from spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma), collected a day before in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 10, 2023
Spores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) at low magnification, collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 10, 2023
Spores of rust fungus Puccinia eatoniae var. myosotidis(?) (stacked image), collected in Lick Creek Park. College Station, Texas, February 10, 2023The fungus Puccinia eatoniae was observed on spring scorpion grass (Myosotis macrosperma) in East and Central Texas. Observations were made at Lick Creek Park in College Station and Lake Somerville Trailway near Birch Creek Unit of Somerville Lake State Park. The rust fungus was found on seedlings, leaves, and undersides of leaves, with urediniospores and aeciospores collected and examined under a microscope. The spores were observed to have a textured surface and were orange in color. The fungus was present at both locations over multiple dates, including March 7-12, 2022, April 3, 2022, and February 9-10, 2023, indicating a persistent infection. Multiple observations of the same location showed similar results, suggesting a consistent presence of the fungus in these areas.
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