Leaves crisped and curled when dry, plane in many leaves, 2-stratose in distal 1/2, cells with longitudinal striolae in distal 1/2 of leaf; usually a few alar cells enlarged on margins, often colored. Specialized asexual reproduction lacking. Capsule lacking differentiated annulus; peristome vertically striolate basally, weakly papillose distally.

Capsules mature spring--early summer. Forming cushions on siliceous rock or gravel, occasionally epiphytic or epixylic; 10--2000 m; Greenland; Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., Nfld., N.S., Nun., Ont., Que., Yukon; Alaska, Ariz., Calif., Colo., Idaho, Maine, Mich., Mont., Nev., N.H., N.Mex., N.C., Oreg., S.Dak., Tenn., Utah, Wash., Wyo.; Asia.

This is an extremely variable species. In stature the plants vary 1--6 cm, while the leaf length varies 1--3.5 mm. The capsules vary considerably from cylindric to short-elliptic, with the length ranging 0.5--2 mm. The shape and sheathing of the perichaetial leaves is also variable. Although this species is autoicous, sex organs are often absent, especially in terrestrial plants, with sporophytes correspondingly infrequent. Differentiation of alar cells is often weak in North American material and the striolation can also be weak, and is best observed on cells adjacent to the costa. This species is widespread mainly at higher elevations in western North America, but sporadic in the eastern part of the continent, again occurring mainly at higher elevations.