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.