They were investigating the biosynthesis of the somewhat structurally related compound griseofulvin and discovered it in the residual material of the growth medium containing the fungi.

An ethanolic solution of griseoxanthone C reacts with iron(III) chloride to produce a violet-brown colour.

[4] In laboratory tests, griseoxanthone C showed strong antibiotic effects toward Bacillus subtilis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

[6] In 1992, John Elix and Caroline Crook reported griseoxanthone C from the lichen Lecanora vinetorum.

[7] It has since been reported from various other species, including the flowers of the plant Ficus hookeriana,[8] the fungi Fusarium equiseti,[9] Penicillium concentricum,[10] and Urocladium.