Anatomy of rockcress pseudoflowers caused by Puccinia consimilis

Authors

James J. Farrar, Weber State University, Ogden

Abstract

Arabis pulchra plants infected by the crucifer rust fungus (Puccinia consimilis) develop pseudoflowers. These pseudoflowers are characterized by stems with short internodes and numerous closely spaced, bright yellow leaves coated with a sweet sugary substance. Pseudoflowers do not resemble normal A. pulchra flowers. Pseudoflowers, leaves, and stems of A. pulchra plants infected with P. consimilis and true flowers, stems, and leaves of uninfected A. pulchra plants were fixed, embedded, sectioned, and stained using standard microtechniques. Epidermal, ground, and vascular tissues of true leaves, true petals, and pseudopetals were examined and compared for anatomic differences. Examination of anatomic characteristics revealed that pseudopetals are modified leaves.

Recommended Citation

Farrar, James J. (1999) "Anatomy of rockcress pseudoflowers caused by Puccinia consimilis," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 59: No. 4, Article 12.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol59/iss4/12