Chrysothrix

Chrysothrix is a lichenized genus of fungi in the family Chrysothricaceae.[1] They are commonly called gold dust lichens or sulfur dust lichens,[2]:253 because they are bright yellow to greenish-yellow, sometimes flecked with orange, and composed entirely of powdery soredia.[3] Apothecia are never present in North American specimens.[3]

Chrysothrix
Chrysothrix chlorina, Unteres Rannatal, Austria
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Fungi
Division:
Ascomycota
Class:
Arthoniomycetes
Order:
Arthoniales
Family:
Chrysothricaceae
Genus:
Chrysothrix

Mont. nom. cons.
Type species
Chrysothrix noli-tangere
(Mont.) Mont. nom. illeg.
Species

C. candelaris
C. chlorina
C. chrysophthalma
C. flavovirens
C. frischii
C. granulosa
C. insulizans
C. noli-tangere
C. occidentalis
C. oceanica
C. onokoensis
C. palaeophila
C. pavonii
C. placodioides
C. septemseptata
C. tchupalensis
C. xanthina

They grow on bark or rocks, generally in shaded habitats.[3] They can sometimes be mistaken for sterile specimens of Chaenotheca, which usually has pinhead apothecia on tiny stalks, or Psilolechia, which usually has small, bright yellow apothecia.[3] Chrysothrix chlorina was traditionally used as a brown dye for wool in Scandinavia.[4]

  • Herbarium specimen of Chrysothrix candelaris from a rock cliff in the Patapsco Valley State Park in Maryland, USA.

References
  1. Lumbsch TH, Huhndorf SM. (December 2007). "Outline of Ascomycota – 2007". Myconet. Chicago, USA: The Field Museum, Department of Botany. 13: 1–58. Archived from the original on 2009-03-18.
  2. Field Guide to California Lichens, Stephen Sharnoff, Yale University Press, 2014, ISBN 978-0-300-19500-2
  3. Brodo, I. M., S. D. Sharnoff, and S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University Press: New Haven. ISBN 0-300-08249-5
  4. Uphof, J. C. T. 1959. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Hafner Publishing Co.: New York.


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