[3] It occurs in east and southeast Asia, where it grows on rocks, soil and bark in shaded, damp locations.

[2] The species was previously also known as Lepraria atrotomentosa, which was described in 2001 with a type specimen from Sri Lanka,[6] before being recognised as synonymous with L. cupressicola.

A distinctive feature is the hypothallus, which is usually thick, sometimes thin, lax, and dark brown in colour, forming a tomentum (felt-like mat) under the lobes.

The soredia are abundant to sparse, ranging from fine to medium in size, measuring 60–200 μm in diameter.

[2] This species grows on siliceous rock or soil and bark, typically occurring in shaded, sheltered, damp locations.