Members of the Stictidaceae are diverse in their lifestyles, ranging from
saprotrophic (feeding on decaying matter) and
parasitic to
lichen-forming organisms, and rare occurrences as
lichen dwellers. Some species within this group show facultative lichenisation: they have the ability to switch between lifestyles, forming lichens when growing on bark, or living as saprotrophs, depending on their environment. The
thallus of these fungi is typically crust-like in form. In cases where a , or
photosynthetic partner, is present, it is usually of the type, which consists spherical
green algae. The reproductive structures, known as
ascomata, have a range from
apothecial (open, disk-like) to (flask-like) forms. They can have various forms, from , which are apothecial with a thalline margin, to , which lacks a margin, or even . Often, these structures have an inner crystalline layer within their margins. The internal structure of the ascomata features
paraphyses – sterile filaments – that are unbranched and sometimes have swollen ends. These paraphyses are
amyloid. , which are hair-like structures, typically line the outer part of the ascomata, known as the . The
asci (spore-producing cells) are thin-walled with a small, apical structure protruding into the internal cavity, known as the . These structures are non-amyloid and cylindrical in shape. Typically, each ascus contains eight ascospores, but some species may have more due to spore fragmentation. These spores are diverse in shape, ranging from
ellipsoid to filament-like, and are
hyaline, meaning they are translucent. They have a variety of segmentations, from crosswise partitions to occasionally being multi-chambered (), and have thin
septa and walls. There is no known formation of
conidiomata, asexual reproductive structures, in this family. ==Genera==