Stem leaves (0.6-)0.9(-1.4) mm; not ending in hyaline point of 1-seriate cells. Perichaetial leaves with margins ciliate proximally, denticulate distally.

Capsules mature fall-winter. Woodlands, soil, humus, rock, logs, stumps, base of trees; low to high elevations; N.B., N.S., Ont., Que.; Ala., Ariz., Ark., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Mo., N.H., N.J., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., R.I., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Vt., Va., W.Va., Wis.; Mexico; Central America; n South America; Europe.

Variety delicatulum is apparently more often found in acid substrates than var. radicans and Thuidium recognitum. The perichaetial leaves in var. delicatulum are copiously ciliate.