[1] The epithet honors Reginald Heber Howe, Jr. for his contributions to lichenology, especially acknowledged for providing images of the type (biology) specimens in his revision of the genus Ramalina.

[1] Vermilacinia howei is classified in the subgenus Cylindricaria in which it is distinguished from related species by the thallus divided into tubular slightly inflated branches.

The triterpene zeorin, which is also common in the genus, is usually present in trace amounts, while other lichen substances are not evident from thin-layer chromatography (plates).

[1] Vermilacinia howei occurs most frequently on the Vizcaíno Peninsula between Punta Eugenia and Bahía Tortugas, generally further inland from the ocean than V. nylanderi.

[1] The genus Vermilacinia is distinguished from Niebla by the absence of chondroid strands in the medulla,[5] and by the major lichen substance predominantly of terpenes.