chlorose

Chlorose is a term encountered in some languages and historical contexts as a variant of chlorosis, referring to conditions that produce a greenish-yellow pallor or pale, chlorophyll-deficient tissue. In modern English, chlorose is not widely used and chlorosis is the preferred term in both plant science and medicine.

In plants, chlorosis denotes a deficiency or loss of chlorophyll, causing leaves to become pale yellow or white while veins may remain green. Common causes include nutrient deficiencies (notably iron, magnesium, or nitrogen), herbicide injury, poor drainage, root damage, and soil pH imbalances that hinder nutrient uptake. Diagnosis relies on visual assessment, soil and tissue testing, and observation of accompanying growth symptoms. Management focuses on correcting the underlying imbalance: adjusting soil pH, supplying deficient nutrients (often iron chelates for iron chlorosis), providing balanced fertilization, and improving watering and drainage.

In human medicine, chlorosis historically described a form of anemia characterized by pale, sometimes greenish skin, fatigue, and weakness, particularly in adolescent girls. This usage has largely fallen out of favor, with the condition now classified as iron-deficiency anemia or other specified anemias. Contemporary diagnosis relies on blood tests and treatment targets the underlying cause, typically iron supplementation and dietary changes rather than a separate “chlorose” diagnosis.

Etymology traces to the Greek chloros, meaning green, with the suffix -osis indicating a condition. Chlorose thus reflects a greenish or pale phenotype associated with chlorophyll deficiency in plants or historical descriptions of anemia in humans.