What Does it look like? Myrtle Rust produces masses of bright yellow to orange-yellow powdery looking spores. It attacks susceptible species causing spore-filled lesions on young actively growing leaves, shoots, flower buds and fruits. Affected growth usually becomes gnarly and twisted sometimes resulting in death. Infected spots are sometimes surrounded by a purple ring, others may contain dark brown spores.
What does it do?
As indicated above, Myrtle Rust infects the new active growth of selected species causing them to become seriously deformed often resulting in death.
Can we live with it?
No. If untreated Myrtle Rust will often result in the death of the infected plant. It may also spread to surrounding forest having a huge impact on our native flora, much of which is in the Myrtaceae family.
Plants affected
Myrtaceae family including Australian natives like bottle brush (Callistemon spp.), tea tree (Melaleuca spp.) and eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp.).
Control
There are a number of fungicides which can be used to prevent and control Myrtle Rust, some requiring a permit. For a list of suitable fungicides and permits required follow this link. http://permits.apvma.gov.au/PER12828.PDF
If you do suspect you have Myrtle Rust growing nearby, don't be tempted to take a sample to your local nursery as you risk spreading this highly contagious disease take a photo instead. Garden clinic members can email pictures to us for ID, non-members may email photos to biosecurity@industry.nsw.gov.au
*Click Here for for more information on what to do if you find Myrtle Rust in your backyard
Current situation (Courtesy of the Department of Primary Industries website)
Myrtle rust is present on the eastern seaboard of NSW from the far south coast to the Queensland border. Myrtle rust is also present in south east Queensland and control measures are ongoing. Myrtle rust cannot be eradicated from Australia. There are state quarantine restrictions in place to minimise the chance of the disease spreading on plant material traded across state borders. National Parks, local councils and other organisations that manage tracts of natural vegetation continue to implement biosecurity measures to protect threatened species and communities and ensure the risk of spread to new areas by workers and visitors is reduced. Please visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/ for information about the management of Myrtle rust in National Parks. Photos supplied by the DPI NSW
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