Rhytisma acerinum
| Rhytisma acerinum | |
|---|---|
| Rhytisma acerinum fungus on Norway maple (Acer platanoides) | |
| Tar spot from beneath a sycamore maple tree | |
| Scientific 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. R. acerinum is an Ascomycete fungus that locally infects the leaves of trees and is a biotrophic parasite. The disease is cosmetic and is therefore usually controlled only with sanitation methods.