It grows in dry habitat, often on clay soil, both in open areas and in the shade of larger plants.

This lycophyte forms mats of spreading, forking stems up to 18 centimeters long.

The plant is often gray or brown in color, forming a dull-colored carpet on the substrate.

The linear or lance-shaped leaves are 1 to 3 millimeters long and lack bristles at the tips.

The strobili borne at the leaf bases are yellow in color and no more than 4 to 5 millimeters long.