Ecology: Terricolous; growing sun-exposed; substrate non-calciferous (mainly on low elevation bluffs and outcrops). Thallus: Branches densely aggregated or caespitose. Primary Thallus: Evanescent. Secondary Thallus: Present, of indeterminate growth; stipe 20-60 mm high, .7-4 mm wide, lime green (pale greenish yellow (104) or greenish white (153) with patches of pale yellow-green (121-119) or light yellow-green (134), often with irregular clear areas ("windows")), homogeneously coloured, mottled, or tainted brown, corticate. Upper Surface: Smooth. Reproduction Strategy: Only known as sterile, asexually reproducing form. Conidiomata: Formed on podetia. Secondary Metabolites: Squamatic acid and usnic acid, of the following substance class(es): ß-orcinol depsides. Spot Tests: Upper surface: K – (negative), C –, + deep yellow, or + orange, PD –. UV-Fluorescence: Reaction colour: bright bluish white (especially where podetia are broken).

Primary thallus not known. Podetia in tufts or mats, 30-60 mm tall, 1-4 mm diameter, cupless; sympodially branched with the upper branches whorled, the branchlets short, dichotomous or in whorls, spinescent, the axils usually perforate; surface smooth, straw-colored to yellowish, inner cartilaginous layer continuous, 40-50 μ thick, the outer cortex 30-60 μ thick. Apothecia not known.

Reactions: K— , C— , KC+ yellowish, P-.

Contents: usnic and hypothamnolic acids.

This species grows on soils rich in humus. It appears to prefer open stands of spruce. It is an amphi-Beringian species known from Japan and Alaska.