Two chemotypes have been recorded by Halonen et al. (1998) from Canada, British Columbia: (1) chemotype with salazinic acid as a main substance (K+ yellow, orange or red, Pd+ yellow to orange) is more usual; (2) chemotype without medullary substances (K–, Pd–) occurs occasionally.
In Estonia both chemotypes are known (n=1 either) (Tõrra & Randlane 2007).

 Pendulous thallus, absence (or scarce presence) of fibrils and isidiomorphs, and annulation of branches throughout the thallus (not only at the base) are the diagnostic characters. Sometimes may resemble U. barbata and then consistence of medulla should be checked again (dense medulla in U. chaetophora, and loose in U. barbata).

Europe (map legend)
Corticolous. Bulgaria, Estonia, Germany, Great Britain, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine

Estonia
Grows on branches of Picea in fresh boreal forests. Very rare in Estonia, recorded twice in southern and south-eastern regions (Tõrra & Randlane 2007); not known in Latvia or Lithuania.