Fourteen collections of gametophytes ofSchizaea dichotoma, corresponding to the broadest taxonomic circumscription of the species, are described from New Caledonia. The gametophyte is subterranean, mycorrhizic and non‐green. It is basically filamentous with uniseriate growing points each ending with an apical cell with a single transverse cutting face. Cells of apical cell derivation divide to produce packets of cells which usually stand out as distinct joints in the older fleshy cylindrical axis. Branching is frequent, initiated as singular cellular bulges at the acropetal ends of the joints, and results in a bushy appearing plant. Thinner, non‐septate rhizoids are produced in the same position as branches. Antheridia are typically schizaeaceous and are produced on short antheridiophores, one to several on each. Archegonia are produced in the same position as antheridiophores and vegetative branches. They are rather ordinary save for the terminal knob formed by the bulging of the four terminal neck cells and the distinct jacket which lines the venter and most of the neck canal. The possible phylogenetic relationship between the uniseriate filament and fleshy axis derived ontogenetically from a multicellular apical meristem is discussed in the context of the Schizaeaceae and vascular plants in general.