Tongues of Fire

Tongues of Fire - Gymnosporangium clavariiforme

Description

The fruiting bodies produced by the telial stage of the gall-causing fungal rust Gymnosporangium clavariiforme and known as Tongues of Fire can be quite spectacular, growing to 1 cm long and rich orange in colour.  In dry conditions they shrivel and are inconspicuous; in rainy weather they swell up and become orange, appearing in clusters growing directly from the wood of the branches of the primary host, Wild Juniper (Juniperus communis). 

The alternate host is Hawthorn (Crataegus) and other woody plants in Rosaceae; the aecia form on leaf undersides, usually on swollen midrib; occasionally on a fruit. They have long, frayed, pale fringes (peridia). 

Similar Species

Very similar to Gymnosporangium confusum on cultivated Junipers (e.g. Juniperus sabinae); the aecial stages on Hawthorn etc. cannot be distinguished from field photos. 

Identification difficulty

host

Recording advice

Photograph the rust on the host.  Ensure you have noted the host-plant species in your comments - you must identify the species of Juniper with the telial stage

Habitat

alternating between Juniper and Hawthorn

VC55 Status

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutlland. The Fosse Meadows record of 25th March 2011 was the first record for Tongues of Fire in VC55, on planted Wild Juniper .

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records