[2] One defining characteristic of Candelariella biatorina is its crustose thallus, made of individual granules or areoles that vary from scattered to crowded, and have a vibrant greenish-yellow to bright yellow surface.

The first type, macroconidia, are similar in size to spores, about 5–10 by 3–5 μm and are produced in pycnidia with wide open, crater-like ostioles.

[2] Candelariella biatorina can be readily distinguished from other species in its genus due to its truly biatorine apothecia coupled with its distinct yellow thallus.

It is often mistaken for Candelariella deppeanae, found in Northern Mexico and Southern Arizona, which features a granular thallus and apothecia that become convex with age.

However, the distinct characteristics of C. biatorina, including its vivid yellow thallus and truly biatorine apothecia, allow for clear differentiation from these species.