It occurs in North America, the Pacific, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North and South Africa, South America, and Australia.

It grows in tundra, coniferous forest, grassland, sagebrush steppe, and other habitat types.

[1] This moss forms tufts of erect stems up to 4 centimeters tall.

When it dries the leaves wrap around the stem and it becomes reddish brown in color.

It can dry out and become dormant for many years, becoming metabolically active again after many decades of desiccation.