Look out for symptoms of myrtle rust including:
Use the images below to help identify 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.
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.
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 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 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.