Stems creeping to ascending-arcuate, 2-4 mm wide across leafy stem, sympodial [sometimes monopodial], irregularly branched to regularly 1- or 2-pinnate; paraphyllia many, base 1-or 2-seriate, branches 1-seriate. Stem leaves spreading to squarrose-recurved, heteromallous, not crowded, ovate to broadly ovate, moderately plicate at base (not obscuring costa), sometimes rugose in acumen, (1.1-)2-3 mm; base , not decurrent; margins serrate to serrulate; apex gradually to abruptly acuminate; costa double, weak or to mid leaf; alar cells not differentiated; laminal cells smooth. Branch leaves ovate to elliptic-lanceolate; . Capsule inclined to horizontal; operculum conic, stoutly rostrate; exostome teeth irregularly cross striolate proximally; endostome segments broadly perforate.

Species 3 (1 in the flora): e North America, Mexico, West Indies, Central America (Guatemala), Eurasia, n Africa; temperate regions.

The paraphyllia of Loeskeobryum closely cover the stem and can be inconspicuous at low magnification. They are distinctly smaller than those of Hylocomium, with which Loeskeobryum is often combined. Morphologically the three species of Loeskeobryum show greater overall similarity to those of Rhytidiadelphus (J. R. Rohrer 1985b).

Lower Taxon

• Loeskeobryum brevirostre (Bridel) M. Fleischer ex Brotherus