Hypnum spiniforme Hedwig, Sp. Musc. Frond., 236. 1801; Mnium spiniforme (Hedwig) Müller Hal.; Rhizogonium spiniforme (Hedwig) Bruch

Plants often appearing feathery, dark green and glossy, or occasionally yellowish or brown with age. Stems to 6+ cm, occasionally branched, often grooved proximally; rhizoids dark rust red, papillose. Leaves (5-)6-8 × 0.4-0.8 mm; apex often ending in one double tooth; laminal cells uniformly subquadrate to short-rectangular, (7-) 10-14 µm; marginal basal cells quadrate to rectangular, 14-30 × 10 µm. Seta pale yellowish orange or stramineous, 4-6 cm. Capsule (1.5-)2-3 mm, neck short; operculum1.5-2 mm; exostome teeth reddish orange basally, pale yellow or hyaline distally; endostome segments pale yellow or hyaline, lightly papillose. Calyptra 3.5 mm. Spores 16-18 µm.

Capsules mature Dec-Apr. Forests, base of tree trunks, logs, soil; low elevations; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss.; Mexico; West Indies; Central America; South America; Asia; Africa; Pacific Islands; Australia.