Plants green. Stems 0.5-1 cm, loosely julaceous. Leaves longer than broad, hyaline near apex; costal apiculus long; distal laminal cells elongate-hexagonal, 3-4:1.

Capsules unknown. Shaded moist soil, disturbed habitats; low to moderate elevations (0-500 m); Maine, Mo., N.H.; w Europe.

Variety majus is poorly understood, and it may be more widely distributed. The pale green, loosely imbricate stems with hyaline apiculus are reminiscent of Plagiobryum zieri, but that species has wide elongate laminal cells throughout the leaf, a pinkish coloration, and arctic-alpine distribution.