Eradication of common barberry has been ongoing in the U.S. and is nearly complete. Puccinia graminis has many specialized varieties. P. graminis tritici attacks wheat and barley. P. graminis avenae occurs chiefly on oats. P. graminis secalis occurs chiefly on rye.
Alternate host is common barberry, a tall erect woody shrub with bristle-toothed leaves.
Top Puccinia graminis secalis Disease Rye stem rust Pathology Elongated ragged pustules on stem, leaf sheath, blade or chaff usually begin to appear in mid-June. Pustules rupture tissue, exposing powdery, brick red mass of summer spores. Puccinia graminis has many specialized varieties. P. graminis tritici attacks wheat and barley. P. graminis avenae occurs chiefly on oats.