Genera: 5, Chamaebryum, Costesia, Gigaspermum, Lorentziella, Oedipodiella.
TaxonomyGigaspermaceae is a family in
Gigaspermales, in the subclass Funariidae.
Plant theoryIn the
Plant theory it is included in
Funariales, which is in
Subphase 2.
BotanyProtonema short-lived. Leafy stems short from subterranean axes; central strand, Cladocarpous. Leaves cells usually collenchymatous. Costa present (in Gigaspermum absent) Par- or synoicous. Seta present (very short) Capsule gymnostomous or cleistocarpous. Stomata with 2 guard cells Spores large. Calyptra small, mitrate, fugacious. Gemmae present.