The lichen was formally described as a new species in 1837 by Antoine Laurent Apollinaire Fée as Chiodecton africanum, with a type specimen collected from Senegambia.

[2] The lichen has a thallus that can grow on both rocks and tree bark, with a surface that is either flat or slightly bumpy.

The cortex of the thallus is 10–50 μm thick and the medulla, which is white and chalk-like, is located near the substrate.

The thalline margin, which can be either smooth or wavy, is present and ranges in form from entire to strongly undulating.

[2] Erythrin, lecanoric acid, and an unidentified substance "C" are lichen products that occur in Dirina monothalamia.