It is pale grey, but darker in the centre, and lacks isidia, lobules, soredia and pruina.It tests positive K+ yellow upper cortex with a 10% potassium hydroxide solution.

[3] It was initially described as Lichen stellaris by Carolus Linnaeus in 1753 before receiving its own genus of Physcia in 1856 by William Nylander.

Apothecia are abundant varying in size from 0.5mm-1.5mm and have fruiting bodies shaped like a plate with a ring around them called lecanorine.

[10][11] This species is commonly found lichenized on bark and rock all across the temperate zones of North America as well as parts of Europe.

[12] Physcia stellaris shows no evident means of asexual reproduction due to its lack of isidia or soredia.