Seta (2--)4--12 mm. Capsule stegocarpous, exerted, ovate-cylindric, to 1--2 mm, operculum short-rostrate, peristome teeth rudimentary or 16, cleft to near base.

Varieties 2 (2 in the flora); Arctic-alpine and aridland Northern Hemisphere, Antarctic.

This taxon is uncommon but distinctive. In section, the leaves show a characteristic thickening of the abaxial superficial cell walls, similar to that of some species of Acaulon , a genus which differs in the red laminal color reaction to KOH and spheric capsules.

Lower Taxa

• Stegonia latifolia var. latifolia
• Stegonia latifolia var. pilifera (Bridel) Brotherus

Related Synonym(s):

• Coscinodon pilifera Bridel = Stegonia latifolia var. pilifera (Bridel) Brotherus
• Stegonia pilifera (Bridel) H. A. Crum & L. E. Anderson. = Stegonia latifolia var. pilifera (Bridel) Brotherus