crustose

[kruhs-tohs]

adjective

Botany, Mycology.

1. forming a crusty, tenaciously fixed mass that covers the surface on which it grows, as certain lichens.

crustose

/ ˈkrʌstəʊs /

adjective

1. biology having a crustlike appearance

   crustose lichens

Word History and Origins

Origin of crustose¹

1875–80; < Latin crustōsus covered with a crust, equivalent to crust ( a ) crust + -ōsus -ose ¹

Example Sentences

They found that the disease not only reduces susceptible coral populations but also diminishes crustose coralline algae, the resilient pink crust that is crucial for building reef structure.

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“Then the magic really happens,” she said, “to reveal patterns, variations in color and some crustose types that are otherwise hidden.”

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The crustose types appear as a skin on a rock or tree.

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In structure, the thallus is crustose, and the thalli vary from inconspicuous, evanescent conditions to those which are conspicuous and sometimes even subsquamulous.

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On shaded sandstone, intermingled with an ash-gray, crustose thallus, which appeared like a sterile Pertusaria.

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