Abstract

Phytophthora cinnamomi is causing the death of a dominant understorey shrub (Oxylobium arborescens) in subalpine woodland at Barrington Tops National Park, northern New South Wales. A threatened species, Tasmannia purpurascens, is also affected. The diseased area is about 5 ha, which is large in New South Wales where P. cinnamomi has not been regarded as a serious pathogen. The infestation is unusual in such high altitude vegetation.