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Cinnamon fungus is also known as phytophthora or root rot. It is an introduced fungus which attacks the root systems native plants and trees, causing them to lose the ability to take up water. The symptoms are similar to that caused by drought. The plant sheds leaves and branches, and in many cases dies. It will then be replaced by more resistant species, including weed and pest species. It seems to be most obvious in the death of grass trees.
The fungus is already found in a wide variety of areas in Victoria, including the Grampians, Wilson’s Promontory, Brisbane Ranges, and East Gippsland. There is currently no way to remove the fungus from areas already infested; we can only prevent the further spread of the disease. You can achieve this by:
- Staying on marked tracks and obeying track closures in infested areas
- Use boot washing stations where provided (for example, in the Arthur Ranges in Tasmania) to prevent the ingress of spores,
- Upon leaving an infested area, carefully washing your boots to remove any soil. An effective way to do this is to carry a small spray bottle of methylated spirits and a brush for this purpose, and
- Carefully washing equipment such as pegs, trekking poles, and groundsheets which may have come into contact with infected soil.
More information
Tasmanian Dept of Primary Industries, Water, and Environment Detailed
information on the identification, prevention, impact, and management of
phytophthora
www.dse.vic.gov.au > Search ‘Cinnamon fungus’
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