Structure produced by rust fungi as part of the reproductive cycle
Telium, plural telia, are structures produced by
rust fungi as part of the
reproductive cycle.[1] They are typically yellow or orange drying to brown or black and are exclusively a mechanism for the release of
teliospores which are released by wind or water to infect the alternate
host in the rust life-cycle. The telial stage provides an overwintering strategy in the life cycle of a
parasiticheteroeciousfungus by producing teliospores; this occurs on cedar trees. A primary aecial stage is spent parasitizing a separate host plant which is a precursor in the life cycle of heteroecious fungi. Teliospores are released from the telia in the spring. The
spores can spread many kilometers through the air, however most are spread near the host plant.[2]
Host plants
There are a number of plants that can be infected by the telial stage. Therefore, the telial stage is considered a
pathogen to those plants. A few specific plant pathogenic species are listed here with their
hosts.
Puccinia graminis or known commonly as black stem rust. It infects many different cereal crops.