Host Range of Rust Isolates on Oregano and Mint in Florida

Urediniospores were collected separately from rust pustules on oregano (Origanum vulgare) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) plants purchased from retail stores in Gainesville, Alachua Co., FL, in April 2004 and March 2005. Morphological characteristics of the urediniospores from both hosts were consistent with descriptions of Puccinia menthae. Spearmint, peppermint (M. x piperita), oregano (O. vulgare), sweet marjoram (O. majorana), and Greek oregano (Oregano heracleoticum) were inoculated with urediniospore suspensions of each rust isolate in a series of cross-inoculation experiments. Rust developed on oregano, sweet marjoram, and Greek oregano only when inoculated with urediniospores from the oregano plant, and this rust isolate did not infect any of the Mentha spp. tested. Rust developed on spearmint when inoculated with urediniospores from the mint plant, but this isolate did not infect peppermint, oregano, sweet marjoram, or Greek oregano. The two isolates of Puccinia menthae appear to represent different populations, 'spearmint rust' and 'oregano rust.' This is the first report of P. menthae on oregano in Florida.