O. papulosa is characterised by its unique combination of morphological features, including apically free paraphyses with bulbous tips, and its ability to produce both sexual and asexual spores.

This species was originally described by the French mycologists Michel Charles Durieu de Maisonneuve and Camille Montagne in 1848; they classified it in the genus Sphaeria.

Unlike Strigula species, which form symbiotic relationships with algae, Oletheriostrigula does not contain photosynthetic partners and is therefore not considered a true lichen.

These ascomata are thickly scattered across the plant surface, appearing either individually or in small groups, and are surrounded by pale brown fungal threads known as hyphae.

Each ascoma features a short, broad, rounded protrusion called a papilla that contains a circular opening (an ostiole) through which spores are released.

This stage forms simpler spores called conidia and has been observed both in laboratory cultures and occasionally on host plant tissues in nature.

This fungus is commonly found growing on dead stems and leaves of various host plants, where it plays a role in the decomposition process.

[7] The ability of O. papulosa to produce both sexual (ascospores) and asexual (conidia) spores potentially allows it to disperse and colonize new substrates efficiently.

This dual reproductive strategy, combined with its ability to thrive on a wide range of host plants, likely contributes to its ecological success and widespread distribution in suitable habitats.