Protonematal flaps narrow, linear, acute up to 2.5 mm, usually entire, sometimes with a short mucronate point. Stem leaves acuminate, sharply pointed.

Capsules rare to very rare, mature late summer. Often growing inverted under rock ledges or in crevices, especially in areas of high humidity, sometimes mixed in with other bryophytes; sea level to subalpine areas; N.B., Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.); Mich., N.Y., Ohio, Wash.; Europe; Asia (Japan).