Recent Research Into Myrtle Rust Resistance on Australian Natives

Ozbreed Plants found to be Highly Resistant to Myrtle Rust

Myrtle Rust is a recently discovered fungus that can have devastating effects on many popular plants. It is very distinctive, producing masses of powdery bright yellow spores on infected plant parts consisting of spore-filled lesions on young growing leaves, shoots, flower buds and fruits.

Myrtle rust affects plants belonging to the Myrtaceae family including popular Australian natives such as Callistemons, Lilly Pillies, Tea Trees and Eucalyptus.

Infection on vulnerable plants can have a devasting affect on the plant, resulting in the leaves becoming distorted and buckled, and sometimes even plant death.

Understandably people have recently become weary of chosing popular Bottlebrush and the like, based on the risk that Myrtle rust poses.

However, recent research into the effects of the fungus have shown that there are in fact many varieties of Australian natives available on the market that are resistant to Myrtle Rust.

This research conducted by Dr. Karanjeet Sandhu, a Myrtle Rust Pathologist from the University of Sydney, concluded that varieties of Bottlebrush and other native shrubs and trees in the Myrtaceae family can offer varying degrees of resistance to this toxic fungus.

Many plant varieties were tested, and Ozbreed are proud to announce that many of our exclusively bred natives performed outstandingly, with some even given a status of ‘highly resistant’ as summarised below.