Thallus: Fruticose, usually upright but older thalli sometimes hanging;  attached at a single point;  composed of flattened, irregular branches 1-8 mm (.04-.3 in) wide, 0.5-1.5 mm thick.  Exterior smooth or wrinkled, .pale greenish-gray when dry, becoming pale yellow-green to gray-green when wet.

Apothecia: (Fig. B) Often present but inconspicuous, color similar to thallus, 1-6 mm. (.04-. 24 in) across: attached by a short stalk.

Soredia: (Fig. A)  Usually present, formed in pit-like soralia in lines along the margins of branches or scattered on the surface. (Use a hand lens. )

Isidia:  Uncommon.

Comments:  This species is distinguished by its apothecia and poorly-differentiated pit-like soredia.  Individual branches of Ramalina leptocarpha are usually broader than those of a thallus of Ramalina farinacea of comparable size.