Plants moderate-sized, with distinct capitulum; pale brownish yellow, yellow-green, loosely tufted. Stems green, superficial cortex of 3--4 layers of efibrillose, inflated, thin-walled, non-ornamented cells , with an occasional pore in the distal end of the outer wall of the superficial cell layer; Stem leaves smaller than branch leaves, oblong to lingulate, moderately lacerate across broad rounded apex, border entire and broad at base; hyaline cells rhomboidal, aporose, non-ornamented, usually efibrillose, resorbed on distal portion of leaf with membrane pleats in proximal portion. Branches dimorphic, the spreading branches stronger than the pendent branches. Branch fascicles with 2--3 spreading and 2--3 pendent branches. Branch stems green, surrounded by 1 layer of efibrillose, non-ornamented, inflated, thin-walled cells with inconspicuous necks. Branch leaves broadly ovate, very concave, apex broadly truncate, smooth, and toothed; margin entire; hyaline cells non-ornamented, fibrillose; with elliptic, ringed pores at ends and corners of cells, usually found in 3's at adjoining cell walls, pores more numerous on concave surface (5--8 per cell) than on convex surface (3--5 per cell); chlorophyllous cells in transverse section narrowly truncate-elliptic to lenticular, lacking wall sculptures, with thickened end walls equally exposed on both surfaces. Sexual condition dioicous. Capsules not seen. Spores not seen.

A monotypic section (P. Isoviita 1966).

Lower Taxon

• Sphagnum aongstroemii C. Hartman

Related Synonym(s):

• Sphagnum cymbifolium var. cordifolium C. Hartman = Sphagnum aongstroemii C. Hartman