Caloplaca asserigena is known to have a secondary compound different from other species of Teloschistaceae in the Northern Hemisphere. Studies of the secondary chemistry of the Australian Teloschistaceae have revealed the same compound to be present in Marchantiana michelagoensis and Caloplaca marchantiorum. Subsequent molecular studies based on three genes support the affinity of C. asserigena and M. michelagoensis. Accordingly, the species is tentatively included in the genus Marchantiana. Marchantiana asserigena, which was earlier regarded as extinct in Denmark, has been found to be widespread on very thin twigs of dwarf shrubs in Danish heathlands.