''Scorias'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

fungi A fungus (plural, : fungi or funguses) is any member of the group of Eukaryote, eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and Mold (fungus), molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified ...

within the

Capnodiaceae The Capnodiaceae are a family of fungi in the Ascomycota, class Dothideomycetes. Species in the family have a widespread distribution, and are especially prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, as well as temperate rainforests. Genera The ...

family. The genus was first described by Elias Magnus Fries in 1832. The fungus is known as

sooty mould Sooty mold (also spelled sooty mould) is a collective term for different Ascomycete fungi, which includes many genera, commonly '' Cladosporium'' and '' Alternaria''. It grows on plants and their fruit, but also environmental objects, like fences ...

and is found growing on honeydew on leaves of many varieties of trees and plants.Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month

Characteristics

The mycelium of these fungi have parallel walls and form a thick spongy mass. The perithecium is round and long stalked and the spores have four cells.Westcott's Plant Disease Handbook
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Effects of sooty mould

Sooty moulds grow in thin black layers on leaves on which aphids, witefly or other sap-sucking insects have deposited their honeydew. It does not grow parasitically but it harms plants indirectly and is also unsightly. The mould coats the leaves and this blocks out light and makes

photosynthesis Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy that, through cellular respiration, can later be released to fuel the organism's activities. Some of this chemical energy is stored i ...

less effective. Plant growth can be reduced, leaves covered in mould may die prematurely and there may be a reduction in fruit yield.

References

* Capnodiaceae Dothideomycetes genera {{Capnodiales-stub