Myrtle Rust
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Myrtle rust Uredo rangelii on lophomyrtus ‘Black Stallion’ |
The fungus Uredo rangelii (myrtle rust), recently found in Victoria for the first time 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.
See the media release.
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
DPI has now detected myrtle rust at 60 sites in Victoria, mainly at production nurseries and wholesale outlets in and around metropolitan Melbourne (see map).
Click the image above to view a larger, resizable map in a new window
However, recently 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.
Amongst other activities, these agencies and DPI are monitoring more than 100 high-risk sites around the state, which should provide an early indicator if myrtle rust has spread to that area. Some of the agencies are also dealing with detections on land which they manage, in line with this phase of the program.
More than 1,000 people from industry and state and local government agencies have been trained by DPI in identifying and managing myrtle rust. These information sessions have been well received and further sessions are planned.
If you would like to attend an information session, please email plant.protection@dpi.vic.gov.au to register your interest.
Almost half of Victoria’s myrtle rust detections have been on private properties.. The infected plants have either been removed or treated as required and monitoring of the properties will continue.
DPI is monitoring nurseries and providing them with advice on how to manage infected material. This involves safe disposal, or treatment and reinspection, of the infected material and treatment of all Myrtaceae plants in the nursery before they are released for sale.
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 $6,107 for selling plants which they are reasonably expected to know are infected with myrtle rust.
At present, Victoria is maintaining import restrictions on myrtle rust host material from other states where the disease is present. However, this is under review because the distribution of the disease and its detection in public parks indicate it is unlikely to be contained.
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 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.
What do I do if I think I've found myrtle rust?
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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.
More information
- What is the risk to Victoria?
- Interstate movement of host materials
- What does myrtle rust look like?
- Which plants are affected?
- Which plants are not affected?
- Reducing the spread of myrtle rust
- Treatment of myrtle rust in the home garden
- Treatment of myrtle rust for nurseries, plant traders and the bush food industry
Further information on other sites
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF):
Myrtle rust communiqué
Myrtle rust questions and answers
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries
National pest & disease outbreaks
