crustose

crus·tose

C0778700 (krŭs′tōs′)adj. Of or relating to a lichen whose thallus is thin, crusty, and closely adherent to or embedded in the surface on which it grows.

[Latin crūstōsus, crusted, from crusta, crust; see kreus- in Indo-European roots.]

crustose

(ˈkrʌstəʊs) adj (Biology) biology having a crustlike appearance: crustose lichens.

crus•tose

(ˈkrʌs toʊs)

adj. forming a crusty, tenaciously fixed mass that covers the surface on which it grows, as certain lichens. [1875–80; < Latin crustōsus covered with a crust, derivative of crust(a) crust]

Thesaurus

Adj.

crustose - (of lichens) having a thin crusty thallus that adheres closely to the surface on which it is growing; "crustose lichens"