[3] The genus was circumscribed in 2014 by the lichenologists Sergey Kondratyuk, Ingvar Kärnefelt, John Elix, Arne Thell, and Jae-Seoun Hur.

[3] According to the authors, Elenkiniana shares similarities with the genus Gyalolechia (formerly known as Fulgensia before Arup and colleagues' 2013 revision of the Teloschistaceae[4]) but is distinguished by its typically lobate thalli, laminal pseudocyphellae across the thallus surface, and the absence of numerous crystals in the cortical layer and granular inclusions in the hymenium.

[5] A similar opinion was expressed by Wilk and colleagues in 2021, who in their work preferred to maintain Arup et al.'s original 2013 classification pending additional research.

[3] The apothecia (fruiting bodies) of Elenkiniana are lecanorine in form, meaning they have a margin that is similar in colour and texture to the thallus.

[3] A distinctive feature of Elenkiniana lichens is their chemical reaction to a solution of potassium hydroxide (i.e., the K+ spot test), turning purple upon contact.