[1] It occurs in North and South America, where it grows on bark, rock, and soil substrates, typically in shaded locations.

The holotype was collected by Tønsberg on April 18, 2001 in Coconino National Forest, Arizona, USA.

The lower surface can sometimes be visible, ranging from white to pale brown, and typically lacks a tomentum (fuzzy covering).

The reproductive structures consist of abundant coarse soredia measuring up to 0.2 mm in diameter, which occasionally have short projecting hyphae.

[3] Although there are a few other Lepraria species that contain lecanoric acid (L. achariana, L. cupressicola, L. goughensis, and L. impossibilis), they can be distinguished from L. lecanorica by morphological and chemical characteristics.