Staurothele areolata is blackish-brown crustose lichen in the family Verrucariaceae.

[1] It is found in mountains of western North America up to 3,600 metres (11,800 ft), and in Sonoran Desert in Mexico and in Arizona, where it is common.

[1] In Southern California, it is less common, and is found on outcrops of limestone, gneiss, schist, and sandstone.

[1] It is found in the mountains of the United States Sierra Nevada range.

[2]: 8 The thallus is crustose with deeply cracked areoles.