Myrtle Rust is a serious fungal disease that affects plants in the Myrtaceae family.

This family includes Australia natives such as bottlebrush, tea-tree and eucalypts.

Myrtle Rust also affects many plants that are commonly found in gardens.  These include:

• Lilly Pilly
• Willow Myrtle (cultivar names include ‘Afterdark’, ‘Burgundy’ and Jeddas Dream’)
• Thready-Bark Myrtle (cultivar names include ‘Blushing Beauty’ and ‘Aurora’)
• Scrub Cherry (cultivar names include ‘Aussie Boomer’, ‘Golden Hedge’ and ‘Meridian Midget’)
• Lemon-Scented Myrtle

Myrtle Rust cannot be eradicated, as it produces large numbers of spores that are easily spread.  However, to determine how far it has spread and to learn more about the disease, Biosecurity Queensland needs to know if you think you have seen Myrtle Rust.  

Call 13 25 23 to report any suspected sightings.

The rust poses no threat to human or animal health.

Downloads

• Myrtle Rust Fact Sheet – Biosecurity Queensland
• Myrtle rust at Booderee National Park

© Biosecurity Queensland 2011