It is endemic to the Mediterranean region, specifically found in lowland silicate rocks within the provinces of İzmir, Turkey, and Burgas, Bulgaria.

[2] The thallus of Umbilicaria platyrhiza is umbilicate, meaning it attaches to the substrate at a single central point, and monophyllous, with a diameter of 2–4 cm and a thickness of 0.2–0.3 mm.

Its upper surface ranges from pale to dark grey, occasionally displaying brown or violet tints, and is pruinose—giving it a frosted appearance.

The lower surface varies from dirty ochre-brown to grey-brown and darkens towards the centre, featuring simple to few times branched rhizinomorphs—root-like structures that are often flattened to strap-like and measure about 1 mm in length.

[2] This species grows on vertical siliceous rocks in maritime climates, benefiting from the moist conditions provided by its low-elevation Mediterranean habitats.