Lichenologist 18: 293 (1986).
Protolog: Data lacking.
Protolog type data: Tanzania: West Usambara Mountains, Shagayu F[orest] R[eserve], heath, elfin woodland and rock vegetation on the summit 3 km ENE from Shagayu sawmill, 1980 m alt., 14 March 1984, M. Hedrén 8443/B (VBI-holotypus)".
Type locality: Type: Tanzania, West Usambara Mountains, Shagayu Forest Reserve, heath, elfin woodland and rock vegetation on the summit 3 km ENE from Shagayu sawmill, 1980 m, 14 March 1984, M. Hedrén 8443/B (VBI - holotype).
Type locality coordinates: Data lacking.
Molecular barcode: Data lacking.
Thallus: fruticose, shrub-like, pendulous to about 50 cm, blackened at base. Branches terete. Spinules numerous on larger branches. Fibrils sparse. Tubercles abundant, becoming pseudocyphellate at apex. Medulla dense. Axis hollow, containing fibrous strands. Layer of red pigment round axis. Isidia and soredia absent. Apothecia on short branches. Spores simple or with pseudoseptum, colourless, broadly ellipsoid, 8-12 / 6-8 µm (Swinscow & Krog 1986: 293).
Photobiont: Green alga.
Chemistry: Usnic acid, psoromic acid (Swinscow & Krog 1986: 293 by TLC).
Ecology: Data lacking.
Distribution Type: Data lacking.
Taxonomy: Its characteristic features are the large tubercles densely covering the branches, the lack of isidia, the red periaxial pigment, and production of psoromic acid. In addition, the large size of the thallus, though not a discriminating character, is noteworthy.
Note: