[2] James originally classified the genus in the family Lecideaceae,[2] but it has since been included in the Ramalinaceae (2017),[3][4] and, more recently (2022), in the Cladoniaceae.

[7] In 2018, Kraichuk and colleagues proposed to fold the Squamarinaceae into the Cladoniaceae,[8] a taxonomic suggestion that had been accepted by later authors.

The apothecia (fruiting bodies) can be either embedded within the thallus or sit directly on its surface, are spherical (globose), and have a distinct margin.

The excipulum (the outer layer of the apothecium) is made up of tightly packed cells that resemble plant tissue (pseudoparenchymatous).

The hypothecium(the layer below the spore-producing area) extends significantly and forms a root-like structure, and is nearly colourless.