SUMMARYSphaerocarpos stipitatusBisch. ex Lindenb. (syn.S. berteriiMont.) is re‐described from the original material gathered in Chile in 1829. Material recently discovered in South Africa is shown to belong to the same species. Detailed studies of structure, development and cytology were made on the South African plants, both preserved and in culture.The genusSphaerocarposis reviewed. It is re‐emphasized thatSphaerocarposnormally has ‘leafy’ gametophytes, with a distinct and definite arrangement of the appendages. The general systematic position of the Sphaerocarpales is di