[2] Historically, Graphis was used as a broad category for species with colourless, transversely septate ascospores within the Graphidaceae.

[3] Genus Graphis includes crustose lichens, which have a crust-like appearance that can range from being fully embedded in the substrate to sitting on the surface.

These structures are typically elongated, resembling slits (referred to as lirelliform), and can be simple, branched, or star-shaped.

[3] Inside the apothecium, the hymenium (a spore-bearing layer) is colourless and does not react to staining with iodine (I-).

The spores themselves are divided by transverse walls (septate) or have a muriform structure (multiple divisions), and they turn violet when stained with iodine as they mature.

Additionally, older apothecia in certain species might react with potassium hydroxide solution (K+) to produce a purple colouration, indicating the presence of anthraquinones.