2d. Rustlings

Rusts (not to be mistaken with metal rust) are a class of fungal pathogens
that specialise in specific plants, usually constricting themselves to a small range of plant
species, making them highly specialised pathogens. Individual rust specimens will usually
only be able to infect about 2 differant species of plant in their lifetime. However their
effects can be devastating, causing deformities such as stunting and eventually will grow
out onto the plant's surface creating the rust coloured visuals that give it their name.

While rusts will not kill the infected plant it will most definitely heavily affect its growth
and will therefore lower the product made by the plant, causing rust to be a huge problem in
agriculture. With the coming rise of extreme weather events cause by global climate change,
the spread of rust through spores may be heightened by an increase in windflow.

While their aggressive behaviours in plants may appear as a negative, it does not come without
its positives that make it a valuable and important species. Rusts have been tested for their
use against invasive plants. For example, very recently rust has been used to control the numbers of
the invasive Himalayan balsam plant within Yorkshire and so far has been showing signs of success!
Previously work to cut down the species was manually done by hand, taking up alot of time and
effort. With the plant being known to cause erosion of river banks and, much like other
invasive species, taking up alot of space and blocking out alot of native species,
getting its numbers down and making room for native plants has been a very important
breakthrough. Hopefully this method will continue to be used for other invasive plant issues!

Rust in Fungaloids

Rusts usually combine a mix of plant matter and metallic materials to form their bases.
With Rustlings starting life on pure plant matter and transitioning to metal parts as they grow
and their plant matter begins to wilt and rot over time. These modifications are usually not
controlled by anything electrical and are instead more of puppeteered by the roots of the
rustlings plant base.

Much like their real world counter-parts, Rustlings are specialists who can usually be designed
with practicallity in mind. With metallic parts and enhancements related to careers or life events.
It is possible that an enhancement can be made just because, however these are often alot rarer
than practical modifications.

Even rarer are Rustlings that have managed to sustain their plant bodies enough to keep them
from rotting and being lacking in modifications

Given the name, Rustlings usually rep warm colours, with their diversity coming in the form
of their modifications and plant species.

See the adoptables page for more examples of fungaloids!