Clasmatocolea spp. occur in a variety of habits and altitudes but mostly near water. The shoots are erect and the leaves are usually unlobed except in a few cases )eg.two-lobed leaves in C. inflexispina. The underleaves have 2-3 lobes (seldom unlobed) and are often prominent.

Recent molecular evidence may result in members of the Clasmatocolea being placed under the closely related Chiloscyphus.