[2] Niebla disrupta is generally recognized by the thallus divided into many narrow subterete branches, to 7 cm high, arising from a well-defined holdfast, blackened around the base to a short distance above, often with long terminal vine-like branchlets; the branchlets often with undeveloped apothecia, the more mature apothecia commonly seen below—in the mid to lower part of the thallus.

[2] The thallus branches are similar to those of the related Niebla homalea in their linear shape and in the margins twisting 90° at frequent intervals, and by transverse cracks occurring at frequent but irregular intervals, and in the texture of the cortex, which is slightly thinner in N. disrupta, 75–110 μm thick, compared to 75–150 μm thick in N. homalea.

Black dot-like pycnidia are common along branch margins—at least to the mid region, and often to near base, and mostly absent between margins.

They appear to be hybrids but referred to N. disrupta by the thallus being taller than wide with numerous branches arising from the base.

[6] Upon study of the type (biology) specimen, it was given species status due to the finding of sekikaic acid employing thin-layer chromatography.