Ep. 21: Juniper-Rose Rusts (Gymnosporangiae) - Edenspore Ecokids 2020 - Homeschool Ecology Lesson

This is a video geared for both children and adults about common fungal diseases most often referred to as cedar-apple rust. The Gymnosporangium genus includes nearly 60 species of parasitic fungi who need access to two specific host species in order to complete their life cycle, making them harder to control and very interesting ecologically. They first infect species in the Juniper genus (Juniperus) and secondarily infect very important fruit tree/shrub species in the Rose subfamily Amygdaloidae (apples, pears, serviceberries, hawthorns, quinces, and crabapples). They look like Medusa's heads, an octopus with one hundred tentacles, and odd squeezy stress ball toys. Students who watch this video will learn about how to identify rust fungus on various species, how it grows and spreads, how it's related to other fungi, and how to manage and get rid of it if you find it in your landscape.

This is the 21st archived recording of a live daily class created as Free Child and Parent Resources for Homeschooling During Coronavirus (COVID-19) stay-at-home orders, originally recorded on April 22nd, 2020.