In late December 2010, Myrtle rust was found in a small number of production and retail nurseries in South East Queensland. Myrtle rust is a serious fungal disease caused by Uredo rangelii that affects plants in the Myrtaceae family. This family includes many Australian native species including eucalypts, bloodwoods, paperparks, tea trees, lilly pillies and water gums. The disease can cause deformation of leaves, heavy defoliation of branches, dieback, stunted growth and plant death.
