Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2007. Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region. Vol 3.
Thallus: initially forming small, flat rosettes but soon developing fruticose cushions 0.5-2 cm wide branches: cylindrical, dichotomous in one level, 1.5-2.5 mm long, 0.05-0.15 mm thick, centrally with a fountain-like, compact hyphal strand of 3-8 rows devoid of any photobiont cells, with deflexed tips upper surface: black, dull to slightly glossy especially towards the tips, without isidia but small side branches may appear isidioid lower surface: concolorous with the upper surface, attached by tufts of rhizohyphae, sometimes with additional tufts where the tips of the branches touch the substrate Apothecia: unknown, but branches often with lateral galls caused by pyrenomycetous fungus Pycnidia: unknown Spot tests: all negative Secondary products: none detected. Substrate and ecology: on siliceous rock World distribution: North America Sonoran distribution: central Arizona, California, and Baja California Sur. Notes: The species is distinguished by the cylindrical, repeatedly furcate lobes with deflexed tips. The branchings are in one level and the central strand is compact composed of 3-8 rows of hyphae. Lichinella robustoides is fairly similar. It differs in the more erect growth. The branchings are furcate but the tips are usually not deflexed and the central hyphal strand is loose surrounding few photobiont cells.