| 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 |
|
Chrysothrix is a lichenized genus of fungi in the family Chrysothricaceae.[1] They are commonly called gold dust lichens or sulfur dust lichens because they are bright yellow to greenish-yellow, sometimes flecked with orange, and composed entirely of powdery soredia.[2] Apothecia are never present in North American specimens.[2]
They grow on bark or rocks, generally in shaded habitats.[2] 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.[2] Chrysothrix chlorina was traditionally used as a brown dye for wool in Scandinavia.[3]