It was described in 2011, and with several species of symbiotic moss found growing on its dorsal surface, it is the first millipede known with epizoic plants.

[1][2][3] At least 10 species of bryophytes belonging to families Pilotrichaceae, Lejeuneaceae, Fissidentaceae, Metzgeriaceae and Leucomiaceae have been found to grow on the millipede's dorsum;[2] these plants are believed to camouflage the millipede as its cuticle provides a stable substrate.

Adult moss millipedes have 19 body segments, each with a pair of wide keels; the coloration of their dorsum ranges from dark brown to black, having two light-colored stripes on the prozonites and metatergites of segments 2-19.

[4] The edges of the paranota are white and the legs, antennae and ventral surface of the trunk are reddish brown.

P. bryophorus is found in Río Ñambí Natural Reserve, a transitional Andean-Pacific forest in South West Colombia,[4] preferring tree trunks and leaves, about 1m above the ground; however, they can also be found between the leaf litter and the soil surface.