Colour varies from pale green though yellow-grey to white-grey; apothecia are frequent and soralia may also be present.

[2] The species has declined markedly since the mid 20th century and is now rare or absent in many UK areas.

[6] It has been recorded in Netherlands,[7] Spain,[8] Belgium, Luxembourg, France,[9][10] England, Scotland,[10] Hungary,[11] Norway[12] and Latvia.

[14] Ramalina fraxinea likes windy, exposed and well-lit sites and it is found on species with nutrient-rich bark.

The apothecia are cup-like and convex and are found both along the edges of the branches and on the surface or lamina.

The few that were present were borne on short stalks, and were located on the surface of the lobes, especially near the edges.

[5] Ramalina species were at one time dried and ground down to produce a white hair powder and also used as a cure for chilblains.