It is commonly found on calcareous rock or wood or bark exposed to sunlight and which may have calcareous dust in areas with lime soils.

[2] The thallus is areolate with scattered small (0.1–0.3 mm), rounded to elongated yellow areolas.

[2] It occurs in Joshua Tree National Monument.

[3] Phoma candelariellae is a species of lichenicolous (lichen-eating) fungus that has been documented parasitisising the apothecia of Candelariella aurella individuals in Europe.

Infection by the fungus results in reduced ascospore production, and eventual destruction of the hymenium of the affected apothecia.