Primary thallus persistent, of sorediate granules 0.1 mm broad; gray-green and with scattered brown cephalodia. Pseudopodetia short, to 5 mm tall, sorediate, the sterile stalks thickest at the middle, irregularly curved; interior compact, strongly gelatinized; algal layer sorediate. Apothecia rare, solitary at tips of pseudopodetia, black, spherical, to 1 mm broad, a dark boundary between the stalk and the base of the apothecium; hymenium 80 μ; spores 8, hyaline, round when young, becoming spindle-shaped, 5.5-6.5 X 14.5-21 μ.

Reactions: K+ yellow.

Contents: atranorin and zeorin.

This species grows on rock outcrops and stones. Its known range is confused by problems in nomenclature but it is common in central Europe and Scandinavia and is reported from Disko Island, Greenland, Newfoundland, New York, and Minnesota.