Thompson, J., 1997. American Arctic Lichens: The Microlichens.
Thallus areolate, more or less dark brown, shining, the areolae with the centers depressed, becoming irregular, rugose, when young with a pale margin; hypothallus well developed, black, shining, divided into areolae and more or less radiating at margin. Apothecia to 1 mm broad, between the areolae; margin thin; exciple pale; disk black, flat, becoming convex; hypothecium black-brown; epithecium blue-black; hymenium 100-115 or 135 µm, hyaline, upper part blue; paraphyses coherent, tips firmly attached; spores 8, 1-septate, slightly constricted, dark green, with halo, 17-21 x 9-11 µm.
Reactions: medulla K—, C+ red, I —; hymenium 1+ blue; upper part of hymenium K+ bright blue-green.
Contents: gyrophoric acid.
This species grows on acid rocks. It is known from Greenland, Norway, and Siberia. It should be cxpected in the North American Arctic.