Shell is circular in frontal view, hemispherical or higher in lateral view; covered with mineral particles of various size embedded in an organic matrix, which in older specimens can become dark frown due to manganese and iron deposition. Aperture is centrostome, circle, large often about two thirds of the shell diameter, not or only slightly invaginated. Around the aperture and the ventral face, covering particles are small are small giving a regular and smooth outline while larger grains are incorporated at the arboreal pole. Ecology: moss, soils. Type species: Phryganella nidulus Penard, 1902