Plants small; green to light green, capitulum indistinct. Stems green to dark brown; superficial cortex of nearly undifferentiated. Stem leaves isophyllous, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 2.2--2.8 mm; apex rounded; hyaline cells nonseptate, convex surface with 6--12 pores per cell along commissures, concave surface aporose. Branches straight and short. Branch fascicles nearly all with 2 spreading branch only. Branch leaves ovate, 1.3--1.7 mm; hyaline cells on convex surface with 8--18 elliptic pores more than 8 µm, concave surface aporose. Sexual condition unknown. Capsules not seen. Spores not examined.

Ruderal sites such as dessication-prone depressions, ditches, tire tracks, and natural depressions among tussocks; Fl., La., N.C.

Sporophytes are rare. This species grows over bare soil in a manner similar to that of S. cyclophyllum and S. fitzgeraldii. It is now recognized as separate from S. cyclophyllum, with which it has been treated as synonymous for some time. Besides the microscopic differences, S. microcarpum has a compact upright growth form quite unlike typical S. cyclophyllum. Sphagnum microcarpum is nearly always branched whereas S. cyclophyllum is nearly always simplex.