The lichen has a thallus with colours ranging from yellow to pale olive buff, dark brownish tan, or grey, characterised by its smooth texture and considerable thickness.

Its ascomata are lirelline (elongated with a slit-like opening), often raised from the thallus surface and concealed under a powdery white layer.

[4] The lichen species Dyplolabia afzelii is characterised by a thallus with a range of colours from yellow to pale olive buff, dark brownish tan, or grey.

The ascomata (spore-producing structures) of Dyplolabia afzelii have a lirelline form, meaning they are elongated with a slit-like opening.

[5] The exciple (the outer layer of tissue surrounding the ascomata) is intact at the base and carbonised (blackened) along the sides, converging at the top.