The family Coleosporiaceae, in the order Pucciniales, is a group of fungi commonly known as rust fungi. Members of this family are obligate plant pathogens, meaning they require living host plants to complete their life cycles, which often involve complex alternation between different host species. Coleosporiaceous fungi produce characteristic rust-colored spores on the leaves, stems, or cones of their hosts, causing diseases that can lead to reduced growth or crop yields. They are found worldwide and are particularly important in forestry and agriculture due to their impact on conifers and other plants. These fungi play a significant ecological role by influencing plant community dynamics and serving as indicators of plant health and ecosystem interactions.