Rhytismaella

Rhytismaella is a genus of fungi in the family Rhytismataceae. It was first described by the mycologist Hans Sydow in 1924. The genus is characterized by its anamorphic state, which is known as Rhytisma. Rhytismaella species are typically associated with plants, particularly those in the family Rosaceae, and are known to cause leaf spots and other foliar diseases. The genus includes several species, with Rhytismaella acaciae being one of the most well-known, as it is a significant pathogen of acacia trees. The sexual morph of Rhytismaella is less well-studied compared to its anamorphic state, but it is known to produce ascomata (fruit bodies) that contain asci and ascospores. The genus Rhytismaella is of interest to plant pathologists and mycologists due to the economic impact of its associated diseases on agriculture and horticulture.