Mamillae transversely aligned, distinct to confluent. Rhizome dull dark brown, glabrous except on sheaths. Gametophytes with plates narrow, often filamentous. Males lacking basal cushion, with anteridia on the plates. Archegonial neck cells conspicuously elongated.
Female gametophytes remain unisexual.
Cones are present all year, but, at least in Costa Rica, appear to be more numerous in the autumn than in the spring. May. This indicates some seasonality of growth. Even though stems are present all year around, individual stems probably persist only about one year. In the Andean cordillera from southern Argentina and Chile north through Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia to western Venezuela, Panama and Costa Rica. Along rivers, in ditches, open wet meadows, open wet woods, seepage slopes.