Polytrichum

Dioicous or polygamous. Loose to compact tufts. Aerial stem simple or branched, usually with rhizoids confined to base, rarely tomentose throughout (not in Victoria). Leaves scale-like at stem base, becoming larger toward stem apex, linear-lanceolate from a sheathing base, erect-spreading to squarrose when moist, appressed or erect-spreading when dry, with most of adaxial surface covered with lamellae, except for up to 11 rows of cells along margins; lamellae to 10 cells tall; apex acute or acuminate, with an awn; costa excurrent; margins entire, serrulate or serrate, plane, upturned or inflexed, unistratose; laminal cells ovate to subquadrate or hexagonal, becoming rectangular or linear in sheath, smooth. Capsule erect to horizontal, short-rectangular or ovoid (not in Victoria), symmetrically 4-angled, rarely 5–6 angled (not in Victoria), with stomata. Operculum umbonate or rostrate. Calyptra cucullate, densely hairy. Peristome of 64 teeth, with or without ridges on internal surface, attached at maturity by their apices to the epiphragm between downward pointing sacculi, to the rim of the epiphragm, or rarely via erect epiphragm teeth that are shorter than wide (not in Victoria).