[1][2] They are either planktonic or attached to substrates in fresh water, or in aeroterrestrial habitats.

[3] Palmellopsis consists of cells embedded in amorphous, gelatinous mucilage.

The cells contain a cup-shaped chloroplast with a pyrenoid, as well as a single nucleus and two contractile vacuoles.

[4][3] Asexual reproduction in this genus occurs by autospores or zoospores or by the fragmentation of the colonies.

[4] Palmellopsis is distinguished from the similar genera Palmella[4] and Chlamydocapsa in that its mucilage layer is not lamellated.