Specialized asexual structures are often present. Seta 7--17 mm, erect, geniculate, cells smooth and spiraled below the bend, cells straight and papillose by projecting cell ends above the bend, twisted when dry. Spores 13--16 µm.

Capsules mature spring--early summer, rare. Well decayed wood, stumps, logs, rarely on rock; from sea level to subalpine forests, Alta., B.C., N.B., Nfld. and Labr., N.S., P.E.I., Que., Yukon.; Alaska, Idaho, Maine, N.H., N.Y., Oreg., Wash.; Asia and Far East Russia.