Climacium

Secondary stems erect, differentiated into an unbranched stipe section and above this a branched frond section, with branches arising along the main stem and potentially radiating in all directions from main stem, red-brown or brown, with dense rhizoids along stems and branches; branches mostly simple, rarely pinnate, with lamellae on branches, sometimes extending to leaf bases. Leaves ovate, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, appressed to erect-spreading when moist, little altered when dry, decurrent; apex acute to obtuse and apiculate or acuminate (not in Victoria); costae single, subpercurrent; margins entire or serrulate to serrate toward apex, plane; laminal cells rhomboidal, fusiform, vermicular or linear, unistratose, smooth; alar cells clearly differentiated, rectangular to subquadrate, some hyaline and inflated. Capsules erect, symmetric or slightly asymmetric, obloid to cylindric, without an annulus. Calyptra cucullate, smooth. Operculum conic or rostrate. Exostome teeth minutely and irregularly perforate; endostome with a low basal membrane; cilia absent or rudimentary.