Stems creeping to more often arching-ascending, 1-3 mm wide across leafy stem, sympodial, rarely appearing monopodial in reduced arctic-alpine forms, regularly 2- or 3-pinnate; paraphyllia many, base multiseriate, branches 1- or 2-seriate. Stem leaves tightly appressed on stipe to erect among branches, heteromallous, not crowded, oblong-ovate to ovate, lightly plicate, sometimes rugose in acumen, 1.6-3.2(-4) mm; base not decurrent; margins serrulate to nearly entire proximally, serrate to serrulate distally; apex abruptly acuminate, or occasionally rounded, obtuse, or abruptly acute; costa double, 1/4-1/2 leaf length, sometimes nearly ecostate; alar cells not differentiated; laminal cells occasionally minutely prorate. Branch leaves ovate to elliptic-lanceolate. Capsule inclined to pendent; operculum conic, obliquely long-rostrate; exostome teeth reticulate proximally; endostome segments broadly perforate, usually split into one large gaping perforation.

Species 1: North America, Eurasia, n Africa, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia; cool temperate, boreal, and arctic regions.

Lower Taxon

• Hylocomium splendens (Hedwig) Schimper