Rhytisma acerinum

Rhytisma acerinum
Rhytisma acerinum fungus on Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
Tar spot from beneath a sycamore maple tree
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Leotiomycetes
Order: Rhytismatales
Family: Rhytismataceae
Genus: Rhytisma
Species:
R. acerinum
Binomial name
Rhytisma acerinum
Schwein., (1832)

Rhytisma acerinum is a plant pathogen that commonly affects sycamores and maples in late summer and autumn, causing tar spot. Tar spot does not usually have an adverse effect on the trees' long-term health.[1] R. acerinum is an Ascomycete fungus that locally infects the leaves of trees and is a biotrophic parasite.[2] The disease is cosmetic and is therefore usually controlled only with sanitation methods.[3]

  1. ^ Hudler, George (1998). Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds. Princeton: Princeton University Press. pp. 248. ISBN 9780691028736.
  2. ^ Roland W.S. Weber and John Webster (2002). Teaching techniques for mycology: 18. Rhytisma acerinum, cause of tar-spot disease of sycamore leaves. Mycologist, 16, pp 120-123
  3. ^ Hudelson, Brian. Wisconsin Horticulture UW-Extension Cooperative Extension. UW-Madison Plant Pathology, April 25, 2004. Web. Oct. 22, 2011.