# Cherry Shot Hole (*wilsonomyces carpophilus*)

The Cherry Shot Hole is a fascinating fungus that loves to live on cherry trees! It makes little holes in the leaves, which can look like tiny shots were taken at them!

- **Category:** [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fungi)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Habitat:** Cherry trees, particularly in orchards and woodlands.
- **Also known as:** Cherry Leaf Spot, Shot Hole Fungus, Wilson's Cherry Fungus

![Cherry Shot Hole](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/SchrotschussKirschblatt.jpg&width=800)

Photo: kühler Grill, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SchrotschussKirschblatt.jpg)

## Appearance

The Cherry Shot Hole disease is characterized by small, circular purple to reddish-brown spots on leaves. These spots often dry out and fall away, creating distinctive perforations resembling a shotgun blast. Affected fruits develop sunken lesions with red margins.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Fungi
- **Phylum:** Ascomycota
- **Class:** Dothideomycetes
- **Order:** Mycosphaerellales
- **Family:** Mycosphaerellaceae
- **Genus:** Stigmina

## Interesting facts

- Farmers fight hard against this tiny fungus to save their tasty fruit crops.
- It can attack not just cherries, but also peaches, plums, and apricots.
- Just one tiny spore can start a big problem for a whole cherry tree!
- The holes in cherry leaves are actually made by the tree trying to heal itself!

## Special abilities

- **Raindrop Launcher:** Cherry Shot Hole can spread its tiny spores via splashing rain because this helps it infect new leaves and fruit.
- **Leaf Puncher:** Cherry Shot Hole has enzymes that cause leaf cells to die and drop out, creating its characteristic "shot hole" effect.
- **Winter Hideout:** Cherry Shot Hole can overwinter in infected buds and cankers because this allows it to reappear each spring.

## Measurements & details

- **Edible:** inedible
- **Growth Substrate:** other
- **Season:** Spring to fall

## Ecological connections

- **Parasitizes:** Sweet Cherry (*Prunus avium*) — causes disease on leaves, fruit, and twigs.
- **Parasitizes:** Peach (*Prunus persica*) — can infect and damage peach leaves and fruit.
- **Parasitizes:** [Plum](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plum) (*Prunus domestica*) — leads to shot holes and fruit spots on plums.

## Traits

- [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Fungi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fungi)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Cherry Shot Hole?

Compare the cap shape, the underside, the stem and base, and whether the fungus grows on wood or soil. Some fungi have gills, others pores or teeth. A cap seen only from above often hides the most useful features. Mushroom Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### Is Cherry Shot Hole edible?

inedible

### Where is Cherry Shot Hole usually found?

Cherry trees, particularly in orchards and woodlands.

### What does Cherry Shot Hole grow on?

other

### When is Cherry Shot Hole in season?

Spring to fall

## Where to spot

- [Stephenson Canyon Community Greenway](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stephenson-canyon-community-greenway) — Washington, US · Park

## More Fungi

- [Field Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Button Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/button-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Portobello Mushroom](https://www.snappit.app/explore/portobello-mushroom) (*Agaricus*)
- [Shiitake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/shiitake) (*Lentinula*)

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Source: [Cherry Shot Hole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cherry-shot-hole)