New reports of Melampsora rust (Pucciniomycetes) on the Salix retusa complex in Balkan countries

Abstract

Melampsora epitea, known to cause rust on the complex of Salix retusa prostrate willows distributed in the subalpine and alpine belt of the mountains of Central Europe, is here documented for the first time in Montenegro and North Macedonia growing at six localities. It is not new for Serbia, but the records come from a newly reported host, namely Salix serpyllifolia. The pathogen’s distribution presumably is wider than initially believed, and further surveys need to be conducted.