Maleberry is host to the leaf tar spot fungus Rhytisma decolorans that is likely the tar spot species occurring frequently on Maleberry leaves at Long Lake ... [R. decolorans] is also known on three related heath shrubs in the United States (Piedmont Staggerbush – Lyonia mariana, Swamp Dog-Laurel – Leucothoe axillaris and Fetterbush – Leucothoe racemosa, none of which occurs in Canada).