Plants lacking distinctive odor when dry, distal portion of leafy shoot readily caducous. Stems in cross section with 2 layers of thicker walled epidermal cells, stoloniferous stems mainly subterranean. Leaves typically of thick-walled cells, in 4 segments, connate at base, cross section of each segment with 3--5 inner cells and 10--15 smaller outer epidermal cells, these outer cells small, 25 × 10 µm, regularly arranged. Slime hairs thick-walled. Capsule terminal, usually single.

Capsules mature late summer--early fall (July--Sept.). Uncommon to rare on moist soil and shaded banks, slopes and over rocks in tundra; 75--700 m; Alaska; Asia (China in Yunnan, India in Sikkim, Nepal).

This species appears to be somewhat tolerant of desiccation. Frequently it grows with other drought-tolerant bryophytes such as Andreaea and Gymnomitrion. The shoots are more rigid than those of T. lepidozioides and the leaf arrangement more regular. Rhizomatous shoots are predominantly subterranean.