Plants in reddish-brown to dark-brown mats. Stems 2--8 mm. Stem leaves oblong to oblong-ligulate, 1.4--1.6 mm, mucronate to apiculate, rugose; costa shortly excurrent into mucro; distal laminal cells 5--9 µm wide, rounded-quadrate. Seta 2.5--4 mm. Capsule 1.7--2.2 mm.

Logs, trunks of trees frequently above 3 m, often on branches in tree canopies; low elevations; Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Texas, Va.; Mexico; West Indies; Central America; South America.

Schlotheimia rugifolia is distinguished by rugose, abruptly apiculate leaves. Characteristically the plants have a dark reddish-brown color, which is best developed under xeric conditions.