[3] Usnea pallidocarpa is characterised by its shrubby, erect appearance and a thallus (the body of the lichen) that typically measures between 5 and 7 cm in length.

[1] Usnea pallidocarpa has a unique feature among some morphotypes – a "compressed" form where the side branches are thick, claw-like, and darkly pigmented, akin to the characteristics seen in U. perpusilla.

Unlike some other lichen species, Usnea pallidocarpa does not produce soredia or isidiomorphs – propagules involved in asexual reproduction.

The secondary chemistry of Usnea pallidocarpa is characterised by an inconsistent presence of hypostrepsilic acid, as identified by thin-layer chromatography.

[1] Usnea pallidocarpa is known to occur only in a single location within the Argentinean Andean Cordillera in the southern part of South America.