This is the commonest of a number of Fissidens species which have the leaves bordered by long, narrow cells; this pale glistening border can be seen with a good hand lens. Shoots are 3 to 20 mm long. The male organs are borne on very short lateral branchlets; these can usually be seen as a number of bud-like structures in the leaf axils when a shoot is held up to the light. Capsules are frequent and erect; the seta arises terminally on the shoot.

This is a mainly lowland species, and is common on neutral or mildly acidic soil in woodland, on streamsides, arable fields and in gardens. It avoids very acidic or permanently wet substrates, and is rarely found directly on rock.

All year round.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.