It has a circumpolar distribution, occurring throughout the Arctic, boreal, and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

[1] This lichen has a large thallus that may exceed one meter in width.

The lichen produces large apothecia, a reproductive structure.

[1] This widespread lichen grows in a variety of habitat types, including Arctic ecosystems.

[1] This lichen was noted to absorb aluminum and silicon from the ash released from the 1980 eruption of Mount St.