Production of uredinia and telia by stalactiform blister rust in British Columbia

Records of uredinia and telia production on the alternate hosts of Cronartium coleosporioides in British Columbia and inoculation of Castilleja miniata with aeciospores collected from various locations showed that rust isolates from dry areas of the interior of British Columbia do not produce uredinia and may have lost the ability to do so. Collections from somewhat wetter areas produced uredinia or mixtures of uredinia and telia immediately following aeciospore inoculations, and field collections from such areas in June commonly had mixtures of uredinia and telia. Loss of the uredinial stage may be a response to climates that are often unsuitable for the spread or survival of the rust on the alternate host. Key words: stalactiform rust, uredinia, telia, rust life cycle.