Thallus dimorphic. Primary thallus crustose, evanescent, rarely seen. Podetia repeatedly and intricately branched, dying at base, new growth initiated at apices, in matts or patches 2-200 cm diam., slender, not cupforming, lacking squamules or isidia, rarely sorediate, true cortex lacking, outer medullary layer with scattered to contiguous areolae or warts containing algae and forming a persistent or disintegrating pseudocortex. Photobiont green, . Inner medullary or cartilaginous layer well-developed. Apothecia small, pale to brown, peltate, in clusters at tips of branches. Pycnidia black, globose to cylindrical at the tips of terminal branchlets.