Distribution: Washington; From Alaska south to Arizona and New Mexico, east to Maine in northern states; British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut;
Habitat: Exposed areas.
Substrate: Calcareous rock, or dust-impregnated bark where soil is lime-rich.
Conservation Status: Not of concern
Thallus almost entirely within substrate material, scattered dark yellow granules. Apothecia abundant, 0.3-1.2 mm.
PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Candelariella aurella in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database
CalPhotos: Candelariella aurella photos