[4] Endocena is characterised by a thallus that can range from crustose to somewhat fruticose, with features such as hollow pustules, pseudopodetia, and granular phyllocladia.

The genus Endocena was established by the Scottish lichenologist James Mascall Morrison Crombie in 1876, based on a specimen collected on the west coast of Chile.

Crombie included this single species in the genus and highlighted its similarities to Siphula while noting the key difference of a hollow thallus.

Further molecular studies aimed to confirm the placement of this new sorediate taxon within Endocena, revealing that both it and E. informis were congeneric with the recently proposed genus Chirleja.

[7] Molecular data, including ITS and mitochondrial small subunit sequences, showed that members of Endocena and Chirleja form a supported monophyletic group within the Icmadophilaceae.

Despite the genetic uniformity, significant morphological differences were observed among the taxa, leading to the recognition of distinct species and varieties within the genus.

[7] Apothecia (sexual fruiting bodies) are very rare, poorly developed, sessile (attached directly without a stalk), up to 2 mm in diameter, with irregular, strongly concave discs and flexuose (wavy) margins.

[7] There is a dubious report of E. informis from Macquarie Island, Australia, which lacks supporting herbarium specimens and is likely a misidentification of a similar species.