Chrysothrix chlorina
species of fungus
Chrysothrix chlorina, the sulphur dust lichen, is a species of leprose (powdery) crustose lichen in the family Chrysotrichaceae. Originally described scientifically by the Swedish lichenologist Erik Acharius over 200 years ago, it has been shuffled to many different genera in its taxonomic history before finally being transferred to Chrysothrix in 1981. The lichen has a circumboreal distribution, meaning it occurs in northern boreal regions across the planet. It is typically saxicolous (rock-dwelling), particularly on the underside of rock overhangs, but has in rare instances been recorded growing on bark and various other surfaces.
The lichen thallus is a yellow to yellow-green layer of fungi and green algae that are bundled together in powdery clumps called soredia. It lacks apothecia and pycnidia, which are reproductive structures found in many other lichens. Chrysothrix chlorina resembles several other lichen species but can be differentiated based on chemical composition and morphological characteristics. Historical confusions and misidentifications have occurred, especially with species such as Chrysothrix candelaris and Psilolechia lucida. In India, Chrysothrix chlorina is used for dyeing, and 19th-century studies in Sweden revealed it could be used to produce 14 distinct colours.
Taxonomic history
Originally described by Swedish lichenologist Erik Acharius in 1799, Chrysothrix chlorina was first named Lepraria chlorina.
“Chrysothrix chlorina” enters the record as species of fungus. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Chrysothrix, chlorina and species can confirm, complicate or overturn.
Why this record matters
“Chrysothrix chlorina” is worth following because a concise public description often conceals a longer documentary argument. Here, Chrysothrix, chlorina and species provides the most credible route into that argument.
Stable identifiers, scientific names and standards terminology offer the best bridge between this overview and specialist evidence. The source revision retrieved here is dated Mar 10, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q2967428. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1981 and 1799.
Scientific names, classifications and consensus can change while older terminology persists in catalogues and historical literature. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Chrysothrix chlorina”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Chrysothrix chlorina primary sources, Chrysothrix chlorina archive and Chrysothrix research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Chrysothrix chlorina”?
- Is the terminology current, historical or disputed?
- Has classification or technical consensus changed since the cited source?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Chrysothrix chlorina” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.