[4] The primary squamules of Cladonia sobolescens are rounded to strap-shaped, and range in color from greyish to green to brown, depending on the degree of sun exposure it has had.

The podetia, which lack cups or soredia, are short and peg-like, rarely branching once or twice near the tips.

They are 5–20 mm (0.2–0.8 in) tall, topped with brown apothecia that only slightly or not at all broader than the tips of the podetia.

[3] Cladonia sobolescens is found in temperate eastern North America and East Asia.

[1] The northern limit of its North American range extends to Prince Edward Island in Canada.