J. S. Afr. Bot. 49, 2: 152 (1983)

Thallus: adnate, rather fragile, 3-8 cm broad, dull yellowish green; lobes subirregular, 0.7-1.5mm wide, contiguous to imbricate; upper surface continuous, emaculate, shiny, isidia and soredia lacking; medulla uniformly deep purple red; lower surface plane, shiny, pale brown, sparsely to moderately rhizinate, the rhizines pale, simple, 0.3-0.6 mm long. Pycnidia common; conidia bifusiform, 0.5 x 6-7 µm. Apothecia common, substipitate, 2-6 mm in diameter; spores 5-6 x 10-11 µm.

Photobiont: Trebouxia.

Chemistry: Unidentified anthraquinone pigments, two suspected, unidentified ß-orcinol µ-depsides, usnic acid.

Ecology: on rock.

Molecular data: Genbank

Note: There is a Xanthoparmelia ianthina (Brusse) Hale, Mycotaxon 27: 576 (1986) Nomenclatural comment: Nom. illegit., Art. 53.1 Editorial comment: Xanthoparmelia ianthina Brusse 1983 Basionym: Parmelia ianthina Brusse 1983