The Art and Science of Myrtle Rust

Myrtle Rust

Myrtle rust is a fungal disease that affects plants in the family Myrtaceae, which includes a wide range of economically and ecologically important plants, such as eucalyptus, tea trees, and bottle brushes. It is caused by the fungus Austropuccinia psidii, which is native to South America and was first detected in Australia in 2010.

Myrtle rust causes yellow or orange pustules to appear on the leaves, stems, and flowers of infected plants. These pustules can lead to leaf loss, reduced growth and vigor, and, in severe cases, plant death.

The long-term ecological impacts of myrtle rust on Australian native plant communities are not yet fully understood, but the disease has the potential to significantly alter the structure and function of these communities. Scientists and land managers are working to understand the disease and develop strategies to mitigate its impacts on native plants.

The fungus has a complex life cycle, with multiple spore stages that are dispersed by wind and water. It can also be spread by the movement of infected plants or plant material.

Scrub turpentine (Rhodamnia rubescens) is a rainforest tree which grows to 25m tall, with reddish-brown, stringy bark, triple-veined leaves, small (8mm) white fragrant flowers and fleshy berries (7mm) turning black when mature.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and the Australian PlantBank facility are working to establish an emergency collection of seeds and plant material, which will be used for important research into disease resistance and breeding.