The morphology and life history of Stylonema reniforme Kajimura (Stylonematales, Rhodophyta) from Japan were investigated and its taxonomic placement was discussed. This species has 6-30 discoid chloroplasts devoid of a pyrenoid in each cell. This is a typical feature of the genus Goniotrichopsis. The species reproduced only by monospores, which were formed by the direct transformation of the vegetative cells similar to the type species Goniotrichopsis sublittoralis Smith. Goniotrichopsis reniformis (Kajimura) Kikuchi comb. nov. was proposed. The asexual life history of the present species was completed in 3-10 weeks at 15-20°C in culture.