[1] The Physiaceae family includes various growth forms such as foliose, fruticose, squamulose, stipitate, crustose, and even evanescent types (where certain parts, such as basal squamules, become less noticeable or disappear over time as other structures develop).

The disc, when present, is generally round and ranges from flat to convex, displaying colours from brown to dark reddish-brown or black.

paraphyses are simple or sparingly branched in the uppermost part, with thickened apices often capped by a brown-pigmented layer.

The asci are clavate, typically with 8 spores (but sometimes as few as 2 or as many as 16) and a well-developed amyloid tholus, a paler conical axial mass, and an ocular chamber.

[2] Ascospores in the Physiaceae family have a single septum, olive to brown in colour, and ellipsoidal in shape, often displaying uneven wall thickenings.