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Speckled Tar Spot fungus on a leaf in October on Beech Hill in Dulbin, New Hampshire

At trailside is an interesting patterned leaf, caused by Speckled Tar Spot (Rhytisma puncatatum) fungus. This fungus injects the leaf with a chemical causing the surrounding leaf to retain cholorophyll longer in Fall (to feed the fungus), creating a green rim. Inside the rim it's pink with black dots.

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