Vermilacinia corrugata is a fruticose lichen that grows on trees and shrubs in the fog regions along the Pacific Coast of North America from the Channel Islands and San Diego in California to southern Baja California.

Vermilacinia corrugata is classified in the subgenus Cylindricaria in which it is distinguished from related species by the thallus divided into tubular corrugated branches.

[1] Vermilacinia corrugata is one of the most common fruticose lichens in Baja California, occurring along the boundary of the fog zone, in contrast to V. leopardina, a more common species found closer to the ocean, distinguished by the presence of black bands and possessing the diterpene (-)-16 α-hydroxykaurane.

[1] It had earlier been recognized to intergrade with V. leopardina, based on an older name, Desmazieria ceruchis;[2] however, as noted above, the presence vs. absence of the diterpenes distinguishes the species.

[4] The genus Vermilacinia is distinguished from Niebla by the absence of chondroid strands, and by the major lichen substance predominantly of terpenes.