Nash, T.H., Ryan, B.D., Gries, C., Bungartz, F., (eds.) 2004. Lichen Flora of the Greater Sonoran Desert Region. Vol 2.

Thallus: fruticose, pendulous, 20-50(-200) cm long branching: subparallel, irregular or dichotomously branched growing from a narrow holdfast or unattached branches: solid, flattened, reticulate net-like fenestration common on side and distal branches, up to 3(-10) mm wide surface: yellowish green, smooth or conspicuous striated by pseudocyphellae, shiny, sorediate pseudocyphellae: common, narrowly linear, laminal or rarely marginal cortex: thin; chondroid strands: discontinuous, smooth Apothecia: frequent, stipitate disc: flat to +concave, without a white margin; margin: pseudocyphellate, concolorous with the thallus asci: elongate-clavate, 8spored ascospores: hyaline, 1-septate, broadly fusiform, 12-15 x 4.5-5.6 µm Pycnidia: not observed Spot tests: cortex K-, C-, KC+ yellow, P-; medulla K-, C-, KC-, P- Secondary metabolites: cortex with usnic acid (minor); medulla: none detected. Substrate and ecology: on bark World distribution: western North America from central Baja California to southern Alaska Sonoran distribution: southern California, Baja California and Baja California Sur. Notes: Ramalina menziesii is unique in having pendulous branches with net-like perforations, lacking soralia, and in producing no chemical metabolites. The distinction with R. usnea is given under that species.