[6] For more than 150 years, this lichen species was most commonly known as Caloplaca ferruginea due to its distinctive features, including a grey thallus and dark red apothecia without a thalline margin.

The revised nomenclature was supported by a closer examination of Hudson's original description, which revealed similarities to another lichen species known as Bacidia rubella, characterised by its red apothecia (fruiting bodies) and granular thallus.

[7] In light of these taxonomic challenges and to avoid further confusion, Linda in Arcadia and Jan Vondrák put forth a proposal for the conservation of the name Blastenia ferruginea in its traditionally recognised sense.

This conservation, according to the authors, would firmly establish the application of the name, preserving the historical usage of Blastenia ferruginea spanning more than a century and a half.

This decision, supported by a 78% vote in favour, aimed to stabilize the application of the name Blastenia ferruginea and prevent potential confusion with the well-known lichen Bacidia rubella.

It primarily grows on the bark of trees such as Hazel (Corylus), common aspen (Populus tremula), ash (Fraxinus), and Sorbus, and is occasionally found on old timber.