The lichen is characterised by a thallus that is areolate to squamulose in its centre, forming irregular patches or clumps 10–50 mm wide, as well as its ellipsoid or spherical ascospores with slightly thickened wall.

[1] Placolecis kunmingensis has a crustose (crust-like) to effigurate (radiating) thallus, forming irregular patches or clumps ranging from 10 to 50 mm wide.

In the centre, it features areolate-squamulose (divided into small, scale-like sections) structures, with shorter lobules sometimes radiating at the margins.

[1] Reproductive structures (apothecia) are 0.3 to 1.2 mm in diameter, sessile (attached directly without a stalk), lecideine, and range from scattered to crowded, with a well-developed, black margin.

[1] In terms of reactions to standard chemical spot tests, the medulla is K+ (violet) in its upper yellow portion, and P−, C−.