Thallus small-foliose, 1-3(-8) cm diam., stellate-radiating or straggling, scattered and ± areolate centrally to ± contiguous, closely attached. Lobes narrow, 1-1.5 mm wide, to 15 mm long, apices markedly incised, sinuses between lobes rounded, margins entire, slightly thickened, shining, dark brown or black. Upper surface yellow, blackened in older parts, shining at apices, matt and reticulate-cracked centrally or rather scurfy, isidiate, maculae and soredia absent. Isidia small, 0.1-0.2 mm tall, simple, brown-tipped, mainly central. Lower surface black or dark brown, paler at margins, smooth, shining. Rhizines sparse to numerous, simple, black. Apothecia rare, sessile, small, to 1 mm diam., disc concave to plane, dark brown, imperforate, margins prominent, entire, concolorous with thallus. Chemistry: Cortex K-; medulla K+ yellow, C-, KC-, Pd+ orange. Stictic and usnic acids.