Plants in loose or brown tufts, dark green, dull. Stems 1--2 cm. Branch leaves erect spreading, flexuose and somewhat crisped when dry, lanceolate, gradually subulate, 2--4 mm, margins occasionally distally 2-stratose; costa 35--50 µm at base; distal laminal cells mostly subquadrate (1--2:1), 8--11 µm wide, papillose on the dorsal surface; basal laminal cells elongate, smooth, sometimes porose, alar cells gradually enlarged. Perichaetial leaves similar to the cauline. Sexual condition perigonia terminal on separate branches or located well below the perichaetia. Capsule not ribbed when dry, urn 1--1.2 mm. Spores 13--23 µm.

Soil in rock crevices or acid rock; alpine elevations; Alta., B.C., N.W.T., Nfld., Ont., Que., N.S., Yukon; Alaska, Idaho, N.H., Calif., N.Y., Oreg., Wash.; Europe; Asia.

Distinguished by the position of male inflorescence, at the ends of separate branches or well below the perichaetia, with the appearance of separate stems (polyoicous). In the field, it can be distinguished from small sterile forms of K. starkei by its more terrestrial habit, spreading leaves, dull, dark green or brownish color, and lack of grooves on the dry capsules.