Heteropyxis natalensis, a new host of Puccinia psidii rust

Artificial inoculation tests have shown that Heteropyxis natalensis is a new host of the Eucalyptus rust fungus Puccinia psidii. This tree resides in the Heteropyxidaceae, a southern African family, and it is the first species outside the Myrtaceae shown to be susceptible to P. psidii. H. natalensis was highly susceptible to infection by the rust and would be severely damaged if the pathogen were accidentally introduced into Southern Africa.