Collected by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander in November 1769 at Mercury Bay in New Zealand,[1] G. dicarpa appeared in the 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, authored by prolific botanist Robert Brown.

[3] The smallest end-branches, known as pinnules, are a mere 1 to 1.5 mm long and recurved margins that give them a cup- or pouch shape.

[9] A common plant, often seen growing under waterfalls, in peatlands, under cliffs and in tall open forest.

It can grow in nutrient poor conditions, preferring high humidity and good levels of sunshine and moisture.

[7] Although not commercially available,[6] G. dicarpa can be readily propagated from spores, and grows as long as it is not allowed to dry out and is not otherwise disturbed.