[1] They are commonly known as jelly babies because of the gelatinous texture of their fruiting bodies.

Within the class Leotiomycetes, Leotia species produce large fruiting bodies; their long-stalked apothecia bear a fertile layer of asci that covers the upper surface of a mushroom-like cap.

Leotia is closely related to Microglossum,[2] another genus characterized by capitate ascocarps.

The species of Leotia have traditionally been defined largely by the fresh color of the ascocarps (tan in L. lubrica, olive-green in L. atrovirens, and green-headed with a yellow stalk in L. viscosa).

However, a molecular phylogenetic study[3] revealed that color is a poor predictor of species affiliation, suggesting further study is needed to develop new, more predictive species concepts.