The type specimen was collected by the first two authors from Llano de la Santidad in Teide National Park (Tenerife) at an altitude of 2,000 m (6,600 ft), where it was found growing on basaltic rocks.

The species epithet honours Professor Pedro Luis Pérez de Paz [es], "in recognition of his many contributions to Canarian lichenology".

Soredia are absent, but there is a dense covering of isidia on the thallus surface; these structures are initially spherical, later becoming cylindrical, and measuring up to 1 mm high.

The medulla is white, while the lower thallus surface is mid- to dark-brown, but not blackened (as is typical with many other Xanthoparmelia species).

Its habitat is the shrub-like community known as "retamar", found at high elevations, and featuring Cytisus supranubius, Pterocephalus lasiospermus, and Pinus canariensis.