[3] When grown in liquid cultures, the cells tend to form small, irregular clusters, primarily because the aplanospores, a type of spore, do not readily separate.

[3] Ahmadjian noted that the algal specimens from both Amandinea punctata and Xanthoria parietina were identical both morphologically and physiologically.

A unique feature of this alga is its tendency to lose color when exposed to direct light, regardless of whether the source is natural or artificial, and irrespective of the type of growth medium.

It has been documented as the photobiont for Ramalina menziesii in California,[5] Xanthoria parietina in Europe,[6] and Gallowayella hasseana in western North America.

Other known lichen associations include Candelaria concolor, Massjukiella tenax, Physcia adscenden, Ramalina farinacea, R. menziesii, and R. leptocarpha.