| Mustard Powder lichen | |
|---|---|
| Mustard Powder lichen on Sycamore bark at Eglinton Country Park in North Ayrshire, Scotland. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Fungi |
| Phylum: | Ascomycota |
| Class: | Arthoniomycetes |
| Order: | Arthoniales |
| Family: | Chrysotrichaceae |
| Genus: | Chrysothrix |
| Species: | C. candelaris |
| Binomial name | |
| Chrysothrix candelaris (L.) J.R. Laundon (1981) |
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| Synonyms | |
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Byssus candelaris (L.) |
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The bright yellow Mustard Powder lichen[1] or Gold Dust lichen[2] Chrysothrix candelaris [3] commonly grows on tree bark and does not show ascocarps or other reproductive structures, belonging to the group commonly known as the 'Fungi or lichens imperfecti'.[4][5]
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This lichen is widespread and common in the United Kingdom, being found on the bark of deciduous trees, especially rugged old specimens, such as sycamore, alder, oak, willow, beech, and Pinus species,[6] normally in dry shaded parts. and occasionally on the sheltered faces of siliceous rocks.[7] It is found in North America,[2] Scotland,[7] Hungary,[8] Iran,[9] Latvia[10] and has been recorded in the Cape Verde Islands.[11]
As suggested by its name, C. candelaris is bright yellow, orange-yellow, or greenish-yellow. It has a powdery (leprose) appearance, a superficial thallus and lacks apothecia, soredia and isidia.[12] It covers the substrate like a crust and therefore belongs to the leprose group of lichens.
Laundon described three chemotypes of this species: one with the chemical clycin, one with pinatric acid, and a third with both of these compounds.[13]
Lacking apothecia, soredia and isidia, C. candelaris is not able to reproduce by spores, but spreads by its thallus becoming distributed by the wind, the feet of animals, etc. to suitable habitats.[12]