Thallus foliose, lobate, loosely attached, ± orbicular to spreading, to 15 cm diam. Lobes very variable, rather narrow (to 3 mm wide), sinuous, often imbricate complex, apices smoothly rounded, often shallowly incised, occasionally forming clustered marginal lobules or laciniae, margins entire, sinuous, shining, black, slightly thickened. Upper surface yellowish-green to dull yellow-grey or black, smooth, shining, isidia, maculae and soredia absent. Lower surface black or brown-black, shining, smooth or papillate. Rhizines variable, sparse to moderate, black or brown, simple or dichotomously branched. Apothecia frequent, subpedicellate, to 5 mm diam., disc red-brown, imperforate, shining, convex to plane, margins entire or crenulate, concolorous with thallus, thalline exciple smooth, shining. Pycnidia common, minute, black, punctiform. Chemistry: Cortex K-; medulla K+ yellow → red, C-, KC+ red, Pd+ orange. Salazinic and usnic acids.