![Thumbnail: [Volume 85, 1957-58 page 569]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_85/thumbnails/rsnz_85_04_0715_0569_ac_02.gif)
2. Genus Geocalyx Nees
Geocalyx Nees Naturgesch. der eur Leb. 1, 102, 1833; G. L. et N. Syn. Hep, 194, 1845.
Plants with the habit and appearance of Lophocolea. Stem simple or slightly branched Leaves succubous, alternate, bilobed, dorsal margin decurrent. Underleaves rather large, deeply bifid, sometimes connate at the base on one side with the leaf. Marsupium on a short postical branch, oblong, fleshy, pendulous, bearing near its mouth a few scale-like bracts. Perianth absent Calyptra shorter than the marsupium and connate with it for ⅔ of its length Sterile archegonia situated near the base of the free portion Capsule cylindrical, 4-valved to the base, valves erect and straight Androecia on short postical branches, bracts 6–8 pairs. shortly bilobed, monandrous—Adapted from Macvicar.
A small genus consisting of G. graveolens, cosmopolitan in the Northern Hemisphere, G. caledonicus St. from New Caledonia, and G. orientalis from Réunion Island.
![Thumbnail: [Volume 85, 1957-58 page 570]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_85/thumbnails/rsnz_85_04_0716_0570_ac_02.gif)
Geocalyx novaezelandiae Herzog. Text-fig. II, Fig. 13.
G. novaezelandiae Herz. Trans. Roy. Soc. N. Z., 65, 355, 1935.
Plants small, monoicous, usually sterile, in flattened loose mats often with other hepatics, mostly yellowish green. Stems 1–1.5 cm., straight or curved, little branched, branches postical, rhizoids may be present. Leaves ca. 1.2 mm long to 0.7 mm wide, sub-rectangular, wider at the base, lobes subequal to equal, triangular-acute, may be hamate or conniving, dorsal margin concave near the base and decurrent. Cells from ca. 20μ at apex to nearly 40μ at the base of the leaf, rounded with trigones, cuticle smooth. Underleaves 0.6 mm long, narrowly connate with the leaf on one side, 2-fid to ½ or sometimes more, segments entire, narrow-lanceolate, acute. Marsupium almost lateral, basal, pendent, fleshy. Androecia spicate, near the ♀, erect, 1.5 mm.
This species differs from Saccogyna australis in its deeply bifid leaves with smooth cuticle and rounded cells, and in the longer ♂ spikes.
North Island: Bay of Islands, 3806, S. Berggren (1874); shady bank of Waipoua River, Waipoua Forest, H792, steep dry bank under manuka, Kaingaroa Plains. 5002, on rotten log, Roto-a-kui bush. E. of Taupo, 5003, K. W. A.; on dead wood, Waitakeres, 3501, J. Langridge; bank by track, Waikaremoana, 2,000–3,000ft, 5001, 9267, by path in bush, Pinehaven, Hutt Valley, 7033. roadside cutting in bush, Mangahao Dams, Tararuas, 10568. E. A. H.; hills west of Silverstream, 4999. H. M. H.; Wilton's Bush, Wellington, R. Mason; forest floor. Waikaremoana, N. J. Butler.
South Island: Karamea, 280, Miss Foot.
Stewart Island: 5006, Mrs. J. D. Smith, 5005, M. E. Hodgson.
The type (fruiting) was from wet shaded bank, near Atiamuri, ca. 1,000ft, coll. K. W. Allison. The species was first collected by Dr. S. Berggren in 1874.