Plants 10--20 mm (--70 mm for G. atrata). Stem central strand present or absent. Stem leaves narrowly ovate-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, keeled, margins plane, recurved or incurved, costa prominent, distal lamina with at least several marginal rows 2-stratose. Sexual condition autoicous or dioicous. Seta straight, centrally attached to capsule. Capsule immersed to exserted, smooth (except G. mariniana); stomates present or absent, small, at neck to part way up capsule; calyptra mitrate to cucullate, covering operculum.

Species 42 (14 in the flora): North America, Mexico, Central America, South America, Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Islands, Australia, Antarctic.

Members of this variable subgenus are recognized by their thick, keeled leaves and usually long, straight seta with smooth capsules. Most members of the subgenus occur on dry acidic rock, with three species growing on damp to wet acidic rock and one on dry calcareous rock.