Anthodite

The term anthodite is first cited in the scientific literature in 1965 by Japanese researcher N. Kashima,[1] who described "flower-like dripstone" composed of "an alternation of calcite and aragonite".

Aragonite crystals are contrasted with those made of calcite (another variety of calcium carbonate) in that the latter tend to be stubby or dog-tooth-like ("rhombohedral", rather than acicular).

Anthodites may occur sporadically throughout some limestone caves, but may be spectacularly abundant in others, with clean white crystals growing all over the calcite or other rock surfaces.

Among the "feathery" varieties of anthodite is "frostwork", a type of speleothem consisting of "bushes" of fine acicular aragonite crystals in radiating clusters.

In its composite stalagmite form, frostwork may possess spiny limbs like a miniature fir tree.