L. gaudichaudii var. gaudichaudii is an exceedingly common epiphyte on tree ferns or other wet forest to rainforest trees. An adaptable species, it also occurs on other substrates like rocks and logs. The leaves are broadly lance-like, with the shoot tips often harboring dark filamentous gemmae or brood bodies. The capsules are not common and are borne on the tips of the shoots, unlike other members of the Rhizogoniaceae.

L. gaudichaudii var. wattsii is a much rarer variety and is endemic to Tasmania. The leaves are oval shaped and the nerve does not extrude beyond the leaf apex as much as L. gaudichaudii var. gaudichaudii. Also, brood bodies are unknown in L. gaudichaudii var. wattsii.

L. gaudichaudii may be mistaken for Hymenodon pilifer but the latter species has a much longer hairpoint and the leaves tends to be more glaucous.

Leptotheca was previously classed under the Aulacomniaceae