Thallus foliose, lobate, closely attached, rosette-forming to spreading, to 6 cm diam. Lobes rather narrow, 1-2(-4) mm wide, to 4 mm long, sinuous, margins entire, black, shining. Upper surface yellowish-green becoming suffused brownish at apices, smooth, shining, moderately isidiate, maculae and soredia absent. Isidia small, simple, brown-tipped, expanded at tips, ± globose, laminal. Lower surface black, shining, smooth, with a broad, brown, naked marginal zone. Rhizines sparse, black, short, simple. Apothecia and pycnidia not seen. Chemistry: Cortex K-; medulla K+ yellow → red, C-, KC+ red, Pd+ orange. Salazinic and usnic acids.