Telial stage

The Telial stage is one of the stages in the life cycle of a parasitic heteroecious fungus. It is discernible by the formation of large teliospores that the fungi produces to overwinter. The telial stage of heteroecious parasitic fungi is spent on the secondary host plant. A primary aecial stage is spent parasitizing a separate host plant which is a precursor in the life cycle of heteroecious fungi. Spores 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 (Brand, 2004).