The sporangia (spore cases) are nestled in the bases of the upper leaves.

The shining firmoss is found in Canada from Manitoba in the west and east to Newfoundland; south into the United States, along the Eastern Seaboard to South Carolina, and west through to Missouri.

Its preferred habitat is mainly rich, acidic soils in cool, moist coniferous or mixed hardwood forests, as well as near bogs, above stream banks, and on sheltered, low hillsides.

They occasionally grow on moss-lined cliffs and ledges, or on shaded, acidic sandstone outcroppings.

Reproduction is either by copious spore production from sporangia (at the base of stem leaves) or vegetatively through the spread of gemmae.