HOLOTYPE: PDD 8358: "Hobart".

This species was thoroughly described by Cunningham (1942, p.55) and although its peculiarities were recognised, it was classified in Octaviania Vittadini 1851. The Tasmanian G. clelandi is closely related to G. cryptica from New Zealand, but there are sufficient microscopical and macroscopical characters to separate the two as distinct taxa. According to present knowledge the area of distribution of the genus Gigasperma is restricted to Tasmania and New Zealand. Unfortunately too few ecological observations are available, thus no conclusions can be made about the mycorrhizal relationships of the two species with Nothofagus spp.