Authors: Roxanne I. Hastings & Dr. Henk C. Greven

Plants 1--8 cm. Stem central strand present or absent. Stem leaves lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, keeled, costa projecting on dorsal side, leaf margin recurved on one or two sides; laminal cells usually 1-stratose above except at margin. Seta long, arcuate to cygneous when moist, centrally attached to capsule. Capsule cernuous or pendulous, striate to sulcate when dry and empty (smooth in G. attenuata), stomates present at base of capsule (absent in G. anomala); calyptra cucullate to mitrate.

Species 32 (18 in flora): North America; Mexico; South America; Eurasia; Africa; Pacific Islands; Australia.

Members of this subgenus are recognized by their lanceolate, thin, sharply keeled leaves with recurved margins and long, arcuate seta with striate to sulcate capsules. Most members of the subgenus occur on dry acidic rock.