Takakiopsida Sphagnopsida Andreaeopsida Andreaeobryopsida Oedipodiopsida Tetraphidaceae Polytrichopsida Bryopsida This family of mosses is most commonly found in northern latitudes.

[4] Tetrodontium repandum is extremely rare and has been found growing in parts of central Europe, western North America and southeast Asia.

[8] The capsule, which is only about 2–3 mm in length, contains the spores used in asexual reproduction and is made up of four peristome teeth.

[2] The capsule usually fruits around early summer [9] and the green, papillose spores are spread by wind.

[2] Tetrodontium repandum is very similar but has long, thin branches and the stem usually only grows to be about 2 mm in height.

[2] The phylogeny and taxonomy of the family Tetraphidaceae, in relation to other bryophytes, have long been disputed among bryologists.

[7] Some believe that there are characteristics of the family, like the thalloid protonema or the development of the peristome, that indicate that the moss is primitive and may share a common ancestor with Sphagnopsida and Andreaeidae.