Found in Costa Rica, it was formally described as a new species in 2006 by Matthew Nelsen, Robert Lücking, and Loengrin Umaña.

The type specimen was collected by the second author from the Talamanca Ridge in the Pacific La Amistad Conservation Area (Puntarenas) at an elevation between 1,600 and 1,800 m (5,200 and 5,900 ft).

Here, in a montane rainforest area with secondary vegetation dominated by Cecropia, the species was found growing on the lower trunks of trees.

The specific epithet honours German lichenologist Bettina Staiger "for her contribution to the taxonomy and understanding of this genus".

[1] The lichen has a greyish to pale yellowish white thallus with a verrucose (warted) surface texture that measures 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) across.