RUSTS OF HAMILTON AND MARION COUNTY. 383 



42. Dicaeoma Malvaeearum (Bert.) Kuntze. 

 *0n Althea rossa L. Hamilton. 



During late June of the present season a very old bed of hollyhocks was 

 noted as seriously infected. Later several wddely scattered beds were noted 

 as being so severely infected as to cause complete defoliation before blooming 

 was completed. This is certainly to be ranked as one of our injurious species. 

 The source of introduction was not deterniined, but the distribution and 

 severity in attack would suggest that the rust had been with us for a number 

 of years. However, an inquirj^ addressed to Dr. Arthur bi-ought the reply 

 that the earliest Indiana record for this rust was .June, 1915. We have not 

 seen it on any native Malvaceae. 



