A medium-sized (shoots 2 to 5 mm long) Fissidens with bordered leaves. The male organs are borne on small branches at the base of the shoot (not easily seen in the field), so the bud-like lateral male branches seen in the similar Fissidens bryoides are absent. The best character is the distinctly inclined capsule, which distinguishes Fissidens incurvus from similar species on soil in moist but not wet habitats. 

A mainly lowland species of calcareous to slightly acidic soil in woodlands and in open habitats. Unusually tall forms with long setae grow on slightly calcareous clay in flushed grasslands in the west.

All year round.

Widespread in the southern half of Britain becoming less frequent in the north.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.