An order of liverworts in the subclass Jungermanniidae. Twelve families make up the Metzgeriales, which are also known as the Anacrogynae because of archegonia produced behind the growing apex. The gametophyte plant body is flat, elongated, and usually thallose, with no tissue differentiation or surface pores; less commonly there is a stem with two rows of leaves. The archegonia are generally protected by an involucre formed external to the calyptra and sometimes by additional structures. Capsules dehisce by valves.