Leaf Rusts of Poplars and Willows in the Midwest

In the Midwest, premature defoliation of willows, poplars, aspens, and cottonwoods is often caused by three or four leaf rust fungi in the genus Malampsora. All North American willow rusts are currently assigned to the "group species" M. epitea mainly because they are morphologically indistinguishable from each other in their telial and uredinial states on willows. This group species includes the synonyms M. abieti-capracearum and M. paradoxa (also known as M. bigelowii) which occur in the Midwest. The leaf rust fungi that attacks poplars are named M. medusae (synonym M. albertensis and M. abietis-canadensis.

Integrated Pest Management
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