Plants 0.5--10 cm; branching irregularly pinnate. Stem leaves in short basal stipe region ovate-triangular; distal leaves erect from clasping base, ovate-acuminate, 0.6--2. 5 X 0.4--1.1 mm; base not decurrent, weakly to strongly rounded, often auriculate; apex narrowly acuminate; costa filling awl-like apex in distal leaves; medial laminal cells sinuose, 18-64 X 2.5 µm; alar cells variable, indistinct or (especially in auriculate plants) with a few rows of irregular-quadrate cells not reaching leaf margin. Branch leaves in five obscure spiralling rows; ovate-acuminate, 0.9--1.7 X 0.3--0.6 mm; strongly concave with long narrow flat acuminate apex; medial laminal cells 18--62 X 2.5 µm, weakly to strongly prorate, tips of prorae with low conical papillae. Seta 5--12 mm. Capsule cylindrical, 1.5--2.5 X 1 mm. Calyptra cucullate, covering capsules at maturity, with scattered biseriate hairs. Spores spherical or ovoid, 23--37 X 18--35 µm.

Capsules mature in late winter (Feb.--Mar.); sporophytes known from only one site in Florida in the flora area. Dry, mesic or boggy hardwood forests and hammocks, deep wooded ravines, mixed woodland and dry sandy scrub, tree buttresses and trunks from base to 20 m, branches, also palms, logs, rocks; 0--1900 m; Ala., Fla., La., Miss., c and s Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America (to Paraguay and s Brazil).

Few other mosses in the region are likely to be confused with P. pohlii, other than P. cymbifolia. Plants of P. pohlii are usually irregularly pinnate, but may be simple if depauperate. The bases of stipe and stem leaves are variously rounded to almost auriculate, the alar cells are sub-quadrate or rhombic and few in number, and do not reach the margin. The species is found from central and northern Florida to Louisiana.