[1] The lichen has a bright yellow thallus about 1–2 cm wide, featuring a thick texture with convex, pustule-like formations around the edges and occasionally forming clusters in the centre.

Its apothecia (fruiting bodies) are quite large and heavy, ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 mm in diameter, with a flat, dull orange or brownish-orange disc, and long, narrow ascospores.

[2] Caloplaca conranii is distinguished from similar species such as C. marina and C. maritima by its thicker verrucose-papillose thallus, the absence of a hypothallus, and the presence of scleroplectenchymatic tissue.

Compared to the Arctic littoral species C. alcarum, it stands out with its bright yellow verruculose or pustulose thallus, scleroplectenchymatic tissue, and oil cells in the paraphyses.

[2] Caloplaca conranii is found on schist and granite rocks along the foreshore, often in association with Elixjohnia gallowayi, Tarasginia whinrayi, and other crustose lichens.