Thallus variable in size though mainly very large and well-developed, to 25 cm tall, with a very prominent holdfast, yellowish-brown and devoidof cortex and phyllocladia. Pseudopodetia ± complexly branching, of stout primary branches and smaller more richly branched, secondary branches towards apices, primary branches white, ± decorticate with prominent exposed fungal hyphae visible, appearing tomentose, ± fibrillose (×10 lens), with occasional shallow, vertical grooves, often lightly invested with a thin layer of algae, secondary branches ± covered with a distinctly greenish algal layer. Phyllocladia terete, corticate, conspicuously green when wet, simple, nodular and finger-like at first (often densely clothing young pseudopodetia) soon becoming complex, coralloid-branched, conspicuous towards apices of pseudopodetia. Cephalodia numerous, sessile or occasionally shortly stalked, prominent, bluish-grey when wet, folded, indented or wrinkled, surface smooth, never areolate or immaculate or scabrid. Apothecia usually terminal but also subterminal and lateral, small, usually not wider than supporting branch, disc always convex, pale red-brown to dark brown never black, thalline exciple smooth, pale yellowish brown. Ascospores 3-5(-7)-septate, 28-40(-90) × 3-4 µm Chemistry: Atranorin and perlatolic acid, ± anziaic acid.