Oil or tar colored substance on leaves

[eigoya]

I've noticed this black smudge covering leaves of different plants. At first I thought, as I noticed it while walking dogs along road, that it was from exhaust (alright it's not exactly the LA freeway...). Now there are many plants in my yard with it. What is it?

[shave_ice]

Black sooty mold.

Very common around here. It's usually a cosmetic thing and not too harmful to the plant.

[bananahead]

yes Sooty Mold... caused by bug droppings

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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha

[eigoya]

Bug droppings, interesting. Thanx all.

[Kenney]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I keep thinking Neem oil is what we use for black mold on the citrus trees.