Plants ovate, bluntly pointed, superficial, attached to the substratum by a central basal rhizomorph, becoming expanded when 3-6 mm. across. Exoperidium saccate, split to about the middle into 5-8 expanded, broad, thick, subequal rays which when dry frequently split into fibrous and mycelial layers; fleshy layer flesh-coloured, umber and rimose when dry; exterior free from debris, covered with brown felted tomentum; base convex, marked with a prominent umbilical scar. Endoperidium sessile, globose or depressed globose, to 2 cm. diameter, brown or pallid tan, minutely furfuraceous or tomentose, lower portion enclosed by the saccate base of the exoperidium. Peristome small, broadly conical, fibrillose, usually seated on a depressed silky zone, concolorous or pallid. Gleba umber; pseudo-columella cylindrical; capillitium threads occasionally branched near their apices. Spores globose, 4-5um diameter, epispore fuscous, 0.75um thick, moderately verrucose. Though abundant in New Zealand the species would appear to be rare in Australia. It belongs to a natural section containing plants which are epigsean in all stages of development, separation from others being made upon the felted tomentum which covers the exterior of the exoperidium.

DISTRIBUTION : North and South America; Africa; Australia ; New Zealand. New South Wales: Kangaroo Valley (1). Victoria: Underbool (4). South Australia: Kinchina (1). Cook Islands: Samoa (2). New Zealand: Taranaki—Ornata. Wellington—Weraroa, det. by Lloyd as G.javanicus; Same Locality, three collections; Botanical Gardens, Wellington (2).

TYPE LOCALITY : North America.