Syrrhopodon scaber Mitten, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 12: 119. 1869

Plants tufted or in loose to dense sods, pale glaucous green when dry, 0.5-1 cm. Leaves mono-morphic, 2-3 mm, erect and straight or flexuous when dry; distal lamina not or only slightly reflexed at shoulders, plane when wet, narrowly linear, apex rounded; margins bordered all around with elongate hyaline cells, toothed to spinose only at apex; medial cells obscure due to papillosity, 7-9 µm, with bulging multifid papillae ad- and abaxially; cancellinae ending in acute angles distally. Gemmae clavate, smooth, very sparse, adaxial and sometimes abaxial on leaf apex.

Not producing sporophytes in flora area. Sandy soil, roof of sandstone cave, humid forests in ravines, along bases of bluffs; low elevations (0-100 m); Ala., Fla., La.; Mexico; West Indies; Central America; South America.

Syrrhopodon prolifer var. scaber is easy to recognize by its pale color, grass-like aspect of the colonies due to the narrow erect leaves, and leaves bordered all around with elongate hyaline cells and spinose-toothed at apices.