The rust flora of Tibetan East Himalaya belongs to the holarctic rust
flora and has a close affinity to the Sino-Japan rust flora. It consis
ts of 14 geographical elements and the eastern Asian element has the h
ighest percentage. The rust flora is mainly derived from the Laurasian
rust flora but intermixed with Gondwana elements to a certain extent.
The plentiful endemic species suggest that East Himalaya is an import
ant center of speciation and differentiation of rust fungi. Yet, the l
ack of endemic genera indicates that the rust flora might be regarded
as a new one.