The genus is distinguished by the small, crustose thallus that ranges from a granular to areolate or squamulose texture, and the simple to 1-septate, narrowly ellipsoid to oblong ascospores.

Its name reflects its similarities to the genus Candelina, based on combined multigene and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) phylogenies.

It shares a sister position with Candelina in the phylogenetic tree; however, it distinguishes itself with a loosely attached, areolate to squamulose thallus and ascospores that are simple to 1-septate, and narrowly ellipsoid to oblong.

A significant finding in the taxonomic history of Candelinella was the determination that Candelariella subsquamulosa, described from South Korea by Dong Liu and Jae-Seoun Hur,[4] is a new synonym for C. makarevichiae, based on nrITS phylogeny and identical sequences of the holotype and isotype specimens.

and deciduous trees (such as oak and cherry) and shrubs, in diverse ecosystems ranging from desert scrub and riparian woodland to pine forests, up to 2,100 m (6,900 ft) above sea level.