Hypnum demissum Wilson in J. E. Smith et al., Engl. Bot., suppl. 2: plate 2740. 1832; H. carolinianum Müller Hal.; Sematophyllum carolinianum (Müller Hal.) E. Britton

Plants small to medium-sized, green to yellow-green, glossy. Stems 0.5-2.5 cm, branches sometimes ascending. Leaves straight or occasionally homomallous, oblong-ovate, tapering gradually to apex, 1-1.2 mm; margins reflexed proximally; apex acute; alar cells enlarged, inflated, yellow, in 1 row, supra-alar cells few, quadrate to short; laminal cells rhombic to flexuose. Specialized asexual reproduction absent. Seta 0.8-1.2 cm. Capsule inclined to horizontal, 1 mm.

Capsules mature summer. Wet siliceous rock near streams; low to moderate elevations; N.S.; Ala., Ark., Conn., Fla., Ga., Iowa, Kans., La., Mich., Mo., N.Y., N.C., Ohio, Okla., Pa., S.C., Tenn.

Sematophyllum demissum resembles Hageniella micans in many respects, but H. micans is distinguished by its strong double costa and toothed acumen. Also, exothecial cells of Sematophyllum are collenchymatous; those of Hageniella are not.