Authors: Richard E. Andrus

Plants moderate-sized, pale brown and shiny, capitulum well defined. Stems yellowish, superficial cortex of moderately well differentiated. Stem leaves triangular, 0.7--0.9 mm, appressed to stem; apex apiculate; hyaline cells efibrillose and nonseptate. Branches moderately tapering, leaves only moderately larger at branch tips. Branch fascicles with 2 spreading and 2 pendent branches. Branch stems green; cortex enlarged with conspicuous retort cells. Branch leaves ovate-lanceolate, 1--1.4; straight; stiff, not undulate and slightly recurved; margins entire; hyaline cells efibrillose, convex surface with 1 pore per cell at cell apex, on concave surface with round wall thinnings in the cell ends and angles; chlorophyllous cells triangular in transverse section and well enclosed to just reaching concave surface. Sexual condition unknown. Spores unknown.

Known only from the type locality in western Quebec.

Sporophytes of this species are unknown. The lack of any fibrils in the branch leaf hyaline calls gives S. splendens an unusually glossy appearance that should make it readily identifiable in the field. The fact that it differs from S. fallax only in one character as well as it being known only from the type locality makes S. splendens a questionable taxon to some observers. More investigation is needed.