The Patellariaceae is a family of fungi within the order Patellariales (class Dothideomycetes), primarily characterized by their saprobic lifestyle, decomposing dead plant material, especially wood and bark. Members of this family produce small, typically dark, disc- or cup-shaped fruiting bodies (apothecia), often embedded in host tissue, and feature bitunicate asci with simple, hyaline ascospores. They are widely distributed across temperate and tropical regions and play an important ecological role in nutrient cycling and wood decay. Although not commonly pathogenic, some species may occasionally colonize living plant tissues.