[2] Members of the Stictidaceae are diverse in their lifestyles, ranging from saprotrophic (feeding on decaying matter) and parasitic to lichen-forming organisms, and rare occurrences as lichen dwellers.

Some species within this group show facultative lichenisation: they have the ability to switch between lifestyles, forming lichens when growing on bark, or living as saprotrophs, depending on their environment.

In cases where a photobiont, or photosynthetic partner, is present, it is usually of the chlorococcoid type, which consists spherical green algae.

[3] The reproductive structures, known as ascomata, have a range from apothecial (open, disk-like) to perithecial (flask-like) forms.

[3] The asci (spore-producing cells) are thin-walled with a small, apical structure protruding into the internal cavity, known as the lumen.