Encalyptaceae Schimp.

The Encalyptaceae include two genera: Encalypta and Bryobrittonia. Only Encalypta occurs in N.Z. Bryobrittonia is a monotypic genus of circumpolar montane-arctic distribution and it is differentiated from Encalypta by having smooth upper laminal cells, serrulate leaf margins, and basal laminal cells that lack thickened transverse walls (Horton 1983).

A revision of the family, with emphasis on North American taxa, was supplied by Horton (1982, 1983). She provided (1982, p. 386) an excellent synopsis of the family which is quoted here: "The most distinctive feature of the Encalyptaceae is the long companulate, mitrate calyptra that extends at least to the base of the capsule. Species of Encalyptaceae are predominantly autoicous and populations generally consist of plants covered by a mass of sporophytes. The cylindric capsule is exserted, but the seta is very variable in length. The family is noted for the diversity of peristome-types that characterise the different species, including those that are long and double, shorter and single or completely lacking. Vegetatively, the plants have a pottiaceous appearance. The leaves are broad and oblong with a well-developed, single costa. The upper laminal cells are more-or-less isodiametric, bulging, and, in all except one species, densely papillose. The strikingly differentiated basal cells are considerably larger and oblong with smooth walls, except for one species with the walls papillose on one surface. In most species the transverse walls of the basal cells are thickened and more-or-less intensely coloured".