Altitudinal distribution: subalpine belt (potential vegetation: open, taiga-like forests dominated by Larix decidua and/or Pinus cembra and Rhododendron)
Note: a species with dwarf, fruticose, black thalli forming cushions, the thallus branches with apical swellings forming hormocystangia, or with terminal globose pycnoascocarpia; on calcareous rocks in cool situations; widespread in the Northern Hemisphere (Scandinavia, North America), but not common; rarely collected in the Alps, being only known from Switzerland.
