The very short setae of Aphanorrhegma patens mean that its spherical capsules, which do not shed their lid, are partly hidden among its lax-celled leaves. The lax cells are easily visible through a hand lens, as are the teeth on the leaf margins. Shoots are up to 2.5 mm tall, with leaves about 2 mm long.

An early colonist of bare mud at the margins of reservoirs, pools and rivers.

All year round.

Widespread and fairly frequent in England and Wales.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.