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Identifying myrtle rust

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Look out for symptoms of myrtle rust including:

  • bright yellow powdery eruptions appearing on the underside of the leaf (young infection)
  • bright yellow powdery eruptions on both sides of the leaf (mature infection)
  • brown/grey rust pustules (older spores) on older lesions
  • grey, 'fuzzy' spore growth on undersides of leaves
  • some leaves may become buckled or twisted and die off

Use the images below to help identify myrtle rust

Pohutukawa with myrtle rust

Pōhutukawa with myrtle rust

Close up of myrtle rust infection on Kermadec Pōhutukawa. Pōhutukawa is New Zealand's Christmas tree, and holds a prominent place in Maori mythology. Although the fortunes of pōhutukawa and rata have changed for the better, they are still threatened by people and pests. Photo credit DOC. 

Rata with myrtle rust

Rātā with myrtle rust

Rātā with brown lesions and yellow spores indicating myrtle rust. Rātā trees, along with the pōhutukawa, are one of the best known native trees in New Zealand. Native birds benefit from rātā, but as possum numbers increase the threat to native birds and to rātā has also grown.

MR950 Metrosideros Bay of Plenty 1

Pōhutukawa with myrtle rust

Pōhutukawa with yellow spores on new stem growth indicating myrtle rust. Pōhutukawa is New Zealand's Christmas tree, and holds a prominent place in Maori mythology. Although the fortunes of pōhutukawa and rata have changed for the better, they are still threatened by people and pests. Photo credit DOC. 

Ramarama with myrtle rust

Ramarama with myrtle rust

Ramarama with raised yellow pustules on the leaves and stem indicating myrtle rust. Ramarama is an endemic species of evergreen myrtle shrub which grows to a height of 8m. 

Ramarama with myrtle rust

Ramarama with myrtle rust

Ramarama with raised yellow pustules on the underside of hte leaf indicating myrtle rust. Ramarama is an endemic species of evergreen myrtle shrub which grows to a height of 8m. 

Ramarama with myrtle rust

Ramarama with myrtle rust

Ramarama leaf with raised yellow pustules indicating myrtle rust. Ramarama is an endemic species of evergreen myrtle shrub which grows to a height of 8m. 

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This website was developed from a partnership between Biosecurity New Zealand (a business unit of the Ministry for Primary Industries) and the Department of Conservation to host a one stop shop of information about myrtle rust in New Zealand. 

Myrtle rust is a serious fungal disease that affects plants in the myrtle family. A number of organisations are involved in safeguarding the Mauri of myrtle species and dependent ecosystems including the Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries, New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated and Project Crimson.

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