The type specimen was collected by Ahti on the southwest tip of Alberta's Big Lake, where it was found in a poplar forest growing on Populus balsamifera.

[3] In 1978, Ted Esslinger reclassified the taxon, transferring it to the genus Melanelia as part of his reorganization of the brown parmelioid species.

[4] The taxon was finally transferred to genus Melanelixia in 2004, after molecular phylogenetics analysis showed that Melanelia was not monophyletic, instead falling into four different clades.

The study suggests that additional molecular sequence data are necessary to confirm species boundaries and propose formal taxonomic changes for the group.

[7] Melanelixia albertana loosely attaches to tree bark, forming a thallus (lichen body) that is 4–10 cm (1.6–3.9 in) wide.

The upper surface is typically wrinkled, dull to somewhat shiny near the lobe ends, and lacks pseudocyphellae (tiny pores).

[3] The lower surface is black with a smooth brown marginal rim, and features rhizines (root-like structures) that are the same colour.

[10] In the 2010s, its known range was further expanded when the lichen was recorded from Sichuan, China, at an elevation of 2,700 m (8,900 ft),[18] and also from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.