Geocalyx is a rather inconspicuous leafy liverwort genus with
only one representative in Tasmania, G. caledonica.
This species is found growing as an epiphyte in wet
forest. While not extremely common, G. caledonica is readily
recognized in the field by it bright green and fleshy appearance.
Distinctivelly also, the leaves and underleaves of G. caledonica are two-lobed.
Microscopically, the cells contain up to 4 or more dark granular oil bodies
taking up much of the cell area.
Unlike Chiloscyphus and Heteroscyphus the
sporophyte of this species is enclosed in a pouch (marsupium) borne
on the underside of a short branch, near the base of the shoot.
Some molecular evidence suggests that this genus should belong
under the
Jungermanniaceae.
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