Fungal Rust (Puccinia menthae) Science Image

Ref: 80016095



Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of spores of the mint rust fungus (Puccinia menthae) on the surface of a peppermint leaf (Mentha piperita). The reproductive spores have been released from a fruiting body, which ruptures the epidermal surface of the leaf in the later stages of fungal infection. The mint rust can cause severe yield losses in commercial mint crops. Magnification: x130 at 6x7cm size.