Clavicipitaceae are a diverse group of ascomycetes producing stromatic or subiculose tissues that bear perithecial ascomata, often brightly coloured or dark, depending on genus. Asci are cylindrical with a thickened apex, and ascospores are typically elongate, multiseptate, and may disarticulate into part-spores or remain entire.

Neobarya species form minute, stalked or sessile apothecia (rarely more perithecioid), typically yellow, orange, pink, or whitish, arising directly from the surface of the host fungus. The receptacle is soft, fleshy to waxy, sometimes slightly translucent. The hymenium is exposed (apothecial) or only slightly enclosed.