Gymnosporangium

/ˌdʒɪmnoʊspɔːˈrændʒiəm/ noun

Definition

A genus of rust fungi that causes cedar-apple rust disease, with exposed sporangia (spore-bearing structures) visible on infected plants.

Etymology

From Greek 'gymnos' (naked) and 'sporangium' (spore container). The genus name describes the naked or exposed nature of its spore-producing structures, unlike other rust fungi.

Kelly Says

These fungi are plant plagues with a weird life cycle—they infect one tree, then somehow travel to a completely different tree to continue reproducing! It's like a seasonal commute.

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