These lichens are predominantly found in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the Mediterranean region, and grow on limestone and base-rich siliceous outcrops in sunlit conditions.

[3] The thallus of Kuettlingeria species is crustose, epi- or rarely endolithic, and white or grey in colour.

Apothecia are zeorine, rarely biatorine, sometimes appearing lecanorine, but a thin true exciple is always present.

The epihymenium and upper part of the true exciple usually contain anthraquinones, such as non-chlorinated parietin or chlorinated 7-Cl-emodin, fragilin, or 7-Cl-citreorosein.

The genus consists exclusively of saxicolous (rock-dwelling) taxa, which grow on limestone and base-rich siliceous outcrops in sunlit conditions, mostly from sea coasts to the mid-altitudinal zone.