Orange growth on nettle stem

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford Nature Reserve (Bucks).

Noticed this bright orange "growth" on a nettle stem. As far as I could see there was only this one nettle affected.

Help to identify what it is much appreciated.



Bruce

[thunder]

Probably a gall formed by the rust Puccinia urticata

henrya

[ron1863]

I saw similar growing on the underside of nettle leaves today - thought it was pehaps insect eggs

[Meta menardi]

I have the same thing sometimes on a rose, as you say just one place rather than an epedemic.

Is it some fungal thing?

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

I have the same thing sometimes on a rose, as you say just one place rather than an epedemic.

Is it some fungal thing?

It's a rust species, but will be a different sort on roses!

[djackso]

My first thought was rust.

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks to everyone for your help. Having done a fair bit of Googling on the advice given I'm pretty sure that thunder was spot on with Puccinia urticata. Here's a web image that shows almost identical form: Hainault Forest Website (you'll need to scroll down the page a bit)

Bruce

[thunder]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

It's a rust species, but will be a different sort on roses!

Yes, on a rose it will probably be a Phragmidium species but the identification of the species is very difficult (and will likely need accurate identification of the rose species as well!)

henrya

[cherrybee]

Just googled myself and came to the same conclusion
Nettle Rust - Puccinia urticata

[birderbryan]

Hi Bruce, Did you ever get any info about this orange "caterpiller" like fungus growing on nettle stems. Because we are getting lots of it up here at the moment it seems to be everywhere, but would really welcome some info on what it actually is...
Thanks,
Bryan.