Capon'S-Feather vs

Aquilegia vulgaris compared with Chrysomyxa abietis

Key Differences

  • Capon'S-Feather is Least Concern while is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Capon'S-Feather
Kingdom Plantae (Plants) Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants) Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class Magnoliopsida (Dicots) Pucciniomycetes (Pucciniomycetes)
Order Ranunculales (Ranunculales) Pucciniales (Pucciniales)
Family Ranunculaceae Coleosporiaceae
Genus Aquilegia Chrysomyxa
Species Aquilegia vulgaris Chrysomyxa abietis

Conservation Status

Capon'S-Feather

LC — Least Concern

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Capon'S-Feather
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Capon'S-Feather

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (India, Japan), Europe (15 countries), North America (Canada, United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia), and South America (Argentina, Chile, Ecuador).

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found across Europe (7 countries).

Capon'S-Feather

The Capon's-feather (Aquilegia vulgaris) is a species in the genus Aquilegia. It is currently classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Chrysomyxa abietis is a macrocyclic rust fungus in the family Coleosporiaceae (Basidiomycota) that causes spruce needle rust disease on Norway spruce (Picea abies) and related conifers across Europe. The fungus completes its life cycle entirely on conifers, infecting current-year needles in spring through airborne urediniospores and aeciospores, causing yellowing, deformation, and premature needle drop. Infected spruce stands show characteristic orange-yellow stripe discoloration on young needles, affecting photosynthesis and tree vigor. The rust is widespread in central and northern Europe, including Belgium, Denmark, Hungary, Norway, Slovenia, and the broader boreal forest zone, wherever susceptible Picea hosts occur. Unlike many rust fungi, C. abietis does not require an alternate host (heteroecious cycle); it is autoecious, cycling between different spore stages on the same host genus. Heavy infections can weaken trees and increase their susceptibility to other stressors including bark beetles and drought. The fungus is not evaluated for conservation status by the IUCN, as it is classified as Not Evaluated. While typically a natural component of coniferous forest ecosystems, outbreaks may intensify under warmer, wetter springs that favor spore dispersal and infection.

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia