Ramalina inclinata is
saxicolous, meaning it grows on rocks, and can reach up to in length. It has a growth form, meaning it lies partially along the with the tips ascending. The are greenish-yellow, solid, cylindrical, and can grow up to 1.2 mm wide. The main branches have tapering side branches. Unlike some related species,
R. inclinata lacks
soralia (reproductive structures) and
pseudocyphellae (small pores on the surface of the thallus). The of the lobes is indistinct and 10–12
μm thick, with smooth, continuous . The
medulla is loose, with embedded strands of chondroid tissue.
Apothecia (cup-like structures containing spore-bearing tissue) are rare and lateral, with a more or less convex lacking a white margin.
Ascospores are short-, measuring 12–15 by 3.5–4.5 μm.
Pycnidia (asexual reproductive structures) have not been observed to occur in this species.
Ramalina inclinata resembles
Ramalina litoralis, a saxicolous species found on seaside rocks in eastern Asia. Both species have similar branches with
ellipsoid pseudocyphellae. However,
R. inclinata can be distinguished by the absence of soralia and the presence of norstictic acid together with sekikaic acid as major chemical substances. Additionally, the chondroid tissue of
R. inclinata is smooth, while that of
R. litoralis is distinctly cracked, and does not spread into the hyphae of the medulla. Similar anatomical features have been reported in other species, such as
Ramalina pluviariae and
Ramalina scopulorum var.
nematodes, both found in the Canary Islands. These species differ in having striate pseudocyphellae, a distinct cortex, and in producing
protocetraric or
salazinic acids.
Chemistry Chemical analysis of
Ramalina inclinata using
thin-layer chromatography revealed the presence of
usnic acid,
sekikaic acid,
4-O-demethylsekikaic acid, and
norstictic acid as major
secondary metabolites. ==Habitat and distribution==