Columbine and rusted buckeye

A wild columbine flower (Aquilegia canadensis) hangs over a patch of buckeye seedlings (Aesculus glabra) along Trail 2 at Prophetstown State Park. 

The yellow spots on the buckeye leaves are the aecial stage of the rust Puccinia andropogonis.  This rust uses grass as an alternate host, probably the extensive stand of big bluestem grass (Andropogon gerardii) on the nearby restored prairie land.

Picture taken May 11, 2014.

Link to previous post on Aquilegia canadensis:

Link to previous post on Aesculus glabra:

Link to previous post on Aesculus glabra:

Link to Puccinia andropogonis: