Stems: to 2.5 cm. Leaves: 2–4(–5) mm, linear-lanceolate, tapering to a fine point; distal leaf margins broadly recurved in the proximal half; distal lamina cells more or less scattered mammillose-papillose but smooth at leaf margins, distal and medial cells 10–14 µm. Perigonium: sessile. Seta: (0.6–)0.9–1.3 cm, straight wet or dry. Capsule: curved, zygomorphic, strumose; annulus of large, deciduous cells. Phenology: Capsules mature summer.
Shady, acid rock, soil over rock. moderate to high elevations. Greenland, Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., Nfld. and Labr., N.W.T., N.S., Nunavut, Ont., Que., Sask., Yukon, Alaska, Colo., Maine, Mich., Minn., Mont., N.H., N.Y., Wis., Eurasia, Atlantic Islands (Iceland). Discussion.