E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

Species description:
The species name from the hair-like point of the upper leaves.

Reproduction:
Sporophytes common, reddish-brown, maturing in spring. Reddish-brown, spherical rhizoidal gemmae are often present but usually are not obvious under a hand lens.

Distinguishing characteristics:
The most useful features are the hair-tipped leaves that are spirally twisted around the stem when dry; the reddish tint of midrib and differentiated leaf margin are also useful. Sporophytes are necessary in determining species of this genus. The flower­like rosette of upper leaves that flare outward when moist also serve as a useful feature fur this species.

Habit:
Forming loose to tight short turfs, usually medium to dark green to sometimes reddish-brown with shoots bearing red rhizoids on the lower part of the stem. Midrib often reddish, as is the differentiated leaf margin. Leaves often somewhat corkscrew twisted around the stem when dry.

Similar Species:
Of the many species of Bryum in the province, B. pseudotriquetrum somewhat resembles B. capillare but lacks hair tips and the leaves are not spirally twisted around the stem when dry. Pohlia nutans is similar but lacks differentiated leaf margins, has small mar­ginal teeth, lacks hair points and the leaves are not spirally twisted around the stem when dry.