Myrtle rust - Information for the wildflower industry
Updated information now posted - see below.
Myrtle rust information for wildflower industry v 3 2014.pdf
Myrtle rust images
Images copyright NSW DPI and used with permission
Myrtle rust lesions on turpentine leaf (Syncarpia glomulifera).
Early symptoms appear as small purple flecks and leaf spots on young leaves, often with a faint yellow halo. These later develop the characteristic bright yellow pustules, mostly on the lower leaf surface. In severe infections, individual spots enlarge and coalesce (as seen in this photo), forming reddish purple blotches, and often causing leaf distortion. Young soft stems tips can also be infected.
Myrtle rust images
Images copyright NSW DPI and used with permission
Symptoms of myrtle rust on Agonis flexuosa 'After Dark'.
On the dark purple leaves of this Agonis, early symptoms of infection are not obvious. As the infection progresses, mature bright yellow rust pustules (spore masses) are highly visible on both leaf surfaces, as well as on young stems and growing shoot tips. Heavy infection results in shoot death. As they age, the pustules turn pale yellow and then grey.