Hypnum stellatum Hedwig, Sp. Musc. Frond., 280. 1801; Campyliadelphus stellatus (Hedwig) Kanda

Plants medium-sized, green to yellowish or brownish. Stems erect, irregularly branched or sometimes irregularly pinnate; paraphyllia absent. Stem leaves spreading or ± squarrose, 1.7-2.8 × 0.7-1.2 mm; base erect to erect-spreading, cordate or rounded-triangular; acumen frequently differentiated, constituting 40-65% (rarely 33-40% in Arctic plants) leaf length. Sexual condition dioicous.

Intermediately mineral-rich fens, lake and river shores; low to high elevations; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., Nfld. and Labr., N.W.T., N.S., Nunavut, Ont., Que., Sask., Yukon; Alaska, Colo., Conn., Ga., Iowa, Maine, Mich., Minn., Mo., Mont., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Pa., Vt., Wash., Wis., Wyo.; Mexico; West Indies (Haiti); Central America (Guatemala); Eurasia; Pacific Islands (New Zealand).

Shoots of Campylium stellatum often look like small stars when seen from above in the field. The species is closely related to C. protensum, from which it differs in having a more erect growth, slightly larger size, and relatively shorter leaf acumen. Paraphyllia have never been seen in C. stellatum, whereas scattered plants of C. protensum have a few paraphyllia.