This genus is characterized by superficial ascomata usually covered with hairs or setae (6); membranaceous peridium, consisting of several pseudoparenchymatous layers; asci that are clavate or fusiform (with biseriately arranged ascospores) or sometimes cylindrical (with
uniseriately arranged ascospores), thin-walled, evanescent and without apical structures; scarce paraphyses that disappear before ascocarps mature (7); ascospores that are brown or gray-brown (never opaque or black), one celled, with one or sometimes two germ pores, and exuding as a dark, black, sticky mass (8).