Myrtle Rust – Gardening Australia

SERIES 36 | Episode 24

Jerry looks at myrtle rust – an introduced exotic fungal disease that can affect all members of the Myrtaceae family – this includes gum trees, bottlebrushes, and tea trees. It was first detected in Australian in NSW in 2010. 

In Australia 350 species are at risk. There are at least 15 rainforest tree species at risk of extinction in the wild due to myrtle rust infection. 

Early symptoms are purple-brown spots developing on the leaves – these enlarge and become yellow pustules that release spores, which is how the disease spreads. It can be carried on the wind and on clothing.

If you don’t check myrtle rust it can cause defoliation of plants, weaken them, stop them producing seed and eventually kill them. 

There is no treatment, but if you spot a sick tree, cut it up, put it into a bag and don’t put it in the green waste – bin it.

This was we can stop the spread of the disease in your suburb.

Useful Links

Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Myrtle Rust

Aus Govt – Invasive Species (Myrtle Rust) 

SERIES 36 | Episode 24

Jerry looks at myrtle rust – an introduced exotic fungal disease that can affect all members of the Myrtaceae family – this includes gum trees, bottlebrushes, and tea trees. It was first detected in Australian in NSW in 2010. 

In Australia 350 species are at risk. There are at least 15 rainforest tree species at risk of extinction in the wild due to myrtle rust infection. 

Early symptoms are purple-brown spots developing on the leaves – these enlarge and become yellow pustules that release spores, which is how the disease spreads. It can be carried on the wind and on clothing.