Erect stems 1-3 cm, not dendroid; sterile stems to 3(-4) cm. Leaves dark green or yellow-green, crisped and contorted when dry, flat when moist, elliptic, 3-5 mm; base narrowly decurrent; margins toothed from about mid leaf to apex, teeth sharp, of 1 (or 2) cells; apex acute or acuminate, cuspidate, cusp sometimes toothed; costa percurrent or short-excurrent; medial laminal cells ± isodiametric or short-elongate, 20-30 µm, slightly smaller near margins, occasionally in longitudinal and diagonal rows, strongly collenchymatous, walls not pitted; marginal cells linear, in 2-4 rows. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta single, yellow or brown, 2-3 cm. Capsule pendent, cylindric, 1.5-2.5 mm, neck not distinct; operculum conic. Spores 25-30 µm.

Capsules mature spring. Soil over limestone; low elevations; Fla., Ga., Miss.

See discussion for this species under 3. Plagiomnium cuspidatum.