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Myrtle Rust

Myrtle rust Uredo rangelii

Myrtle rust Uredo rangelii on lophomyrtus ‘Black Stallion’

The fungus Uredo rangelii (myrtle rust), was found in Victoria for the first time in December 2011. It poses a threat to Victoria's nursery, forestry and beekeeping industries, as well as to public parks and gardens and native forests. It can potentially attack all species of the Myrtaceae plant family.

Myrtle rust was first detected in Australia on the central coast of New South Wales (NSW) in April 2010. In December 2010, the Myrtle Rust National Management Group agreed that it was not technically feasible to eradicate this disease.

Current situation

Myrtle rust has now been detected at more than 70 sites in Victoria, mainly at production nurseries and wholesale outlets in and around metropolitan Melbourne (see map).

Myrtle rust infected premises

Map showing properties in and around Melbourne that have been affected with Myrtle Rust, including several on the Mornington Peninsula, Dandenongs, one between Melbourne and Geelong and one past Geelong on the Great Ocean Road.

Click the image above to view a larger, resizable map in a new window

However, detections have also been made at public parks and private residences, as well as at Shepparton, Ballarat, Tynong North and East Gippsland in regional Victoria.

Experience elsewhere in Australia shows it won’t be possible to eradicate the disease, so the focus is now on management to minimise its spread and impact.

Myrtle rust is widespread in both New South Wales and Queensland, including some bushland areas, and because the disease is so easily spread, Victoria is likely to see further introductions from these states.

Affected industries and agencies are collaborating with DPI to prepare for future management of the disease in Victoria.

They include the nursery, cut flower, forestry and beekeeping industries, as well as the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Parks Victoria, VicForests and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.Some of these agencies are already dealing with detections on land which they manage, in line with this phase of the program. However, at present myrtle rust has not been detected in the natural environment.

DPI, potentially affected agencies and other interested people are also monitoring more than 100 high-risk sites around the state, which should provide an early indicator if myrtle rust has spread to that area.

If you would like to participate in myrtle rust monitoring, please see Monitoring and sentinel sites. Your assistance will be very welcome.

Management of myrtle rust on both public and private land is the responsibility of the land manager. However, DPI will continue to provide land managers (including home gardeners) with advice on how to manage infected material.

Businesses trading in Myrtaceae plants should adopt the Australian Nursery Industry Myrtle Rust Management Plan to help slow the spread of the disease.

Businesses can be penalised $7,042 for selling plants which they are reasonably expected to know are infected with myrtle rust.

Since 30 June 2012, restrictions on importing myrtle rust host material from other states have no longer applied. See the industry update 19 June.

To date, myrtle rust has been found on the following species in Victoria:

Acmena smithii Lilly pilly Agonis flexuosa Willow myrtle Austromyrtus dulcis Midgen berry/midyim
Backhousia citriodora Lemon-scented myrtle Callistemon ‘Harkness’Bottlebrush Callistemon ‘King’s Park Special’ Bottlebrush
Callistemon viminalis Bottlebrush Chamelaucium uncinatum Geraldton wax Eucalyptus olida Strawberry gum
Lophomyrtus obcordata Rohutu
 Lophomyrtus x ralphii Black Stallion Metrosideros carminea Red rata
Metrosideros collina Fiji Christmas bush Metrosideros excelsa New Zealand Christmas bush Myrtus communis Common myrtle
Syzygium anisatum Aniseed myrtle Syzygium australe Lilly pilly/scrub cherry Syzygium paniculatum Dwarf magenta cherry

However, all species of the Myrtaceae plant family are potential hosts of the disease.

Training

Around 2,000 people from industry and state and local government agencies have been trained by DPI in identifying and managing myrtle rust.

If you would like to attend an information session, please email plant.protection@dpi.vic.gov.au to register your interest.

The next scheduled sessions are:

Date Time Location
Friday, 10 May 1.00pm Benalla
Monday, 13 May
 10.30am Cranbourne
Friday, 31 May
 10.00am
 Alexandra

Sessions typically run for 1-2 hours.

What do I do if I think I've found myrtle rust?

Photograph of Myrtle rust on a lophomyrtus

Myrtle rust on a Melaleuca paperbark

Early identification of this rust is vital for effective management and DPI should be notified immediately of all plants suspected of being infected with myrtle rust.

To report suspected myrtle rust, please telephone DPI on 1800 084 881.

Alternatively, you can take electronic photos of the suspect material and email to plant.protection@dpi.vic.gov.au together with a contact phone number.

To avoid spreading the disease:

  • Do not touch, move or collect samples of the suspect plant material
  • Do not go to another site with any host materials after handling suspect material.

More information

Further information on other sites