Scorias

Scorias
	Scorias spongiosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Fungi
Phylum:	Ascomycota
Subphylum:	Pezizomycotina
Class:	Dothideomycetes
Subclass:	Dothideomycetidae
Order:	Capnodiales
Family:	Capnodiaceae
Genus:	Scorias; Fr.
Type species
	Scorias spongiosa; (Schwein.) Fr.
Species
	S. brasiliensis; S. capitata; S. citrina; S. communis; S. cylindrica; S. paulensis; S. philippinensis; S. spongiosa; S. tanakae
Synonyms
	Antennella Theiss. & Syd.; Antennellina J.M. Mend.; Hyalocapnias Bat. & Cif.; Limacinia subgen. Leptocapnodium G. Arnaud; Leptocapnodium (G. Arnaud) Cif. & Bat.; Paracapnodium Speg.; Xystozukalia Theiss.

Scorias is a genus of fungi within the Capnodiaceae family.^[1] The genus was first described by Elias Magnus Fries in 1832.^[2] The fungus is known as sooty mould and is found growing on honeydew on leaves of many varieties of trees and plants.^[3]

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.^[4]

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 less effective. Plant growth can be reduced, leaves covered in mould may die prematurely and there may be a reduction in fruit yield.^[3]

References

Reynolds, D.R. (1978). "Foliicolous Ascomycetes 1: The capnodiaceous genus Scorias, reproduction". Contrib Sci los Ang Cty Nat Hist Mus.

^ Lumbsch TH, Huhndorf SM. (December 2007). "Outline of Ascomycota – 2007". Myconet. 13. Chicago, USA: The Field Museum, Department of Botany: 1–58.
^ Fries EM. (1832). Systema Mycologicum. Vol. 3. pp. 269, 290.
^ ^a ^b Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month Archived 2010-07-30 at the Wayback Machine
^ Westcott's Plant Disease Handbook