Hypnum protensum Bridel, Muscol. Recent. 2(2): 85, plate 2, fig. 3. 1801; Campyliadelphus protensus (Bridel) Kanda; Campylium stellatum var. protensum (Bridel) Bryhn

Plants small or medium-sized, green or sometimes yellowish green to yellow. Stems creeping, irregularly pinnate; paraphyllia sometimes present, 1-seriate, narrowly triangular or ovate. Stem leaves spreading or ± squarrose, 1-2.3 × 0.4-1 mm; base erect to erect-spreading, cordate or rounded-triangular; acumen frequently differentiated, constituting 55-77% leaf length. Sexual condition dioicous.

Mineral-rich wetland habitats, lowlands in swampy forests, open habitats at higher elevations, lake and stream shores; low to high elevations; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Nfld. and Labr. (Labr.), N.W.T., N.S., Ont., Que., Yukon; Alaska, Colo., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Maine, Mass., Mich., Minn., Mont., Utah, Wash., Wis., Wyo.; Eurasia.