This small epiphytic moss occurs most frequently on tree species with a nutrient-rich, fairly basic, rough-textured bark, in particular elder and ash. Its leaves are longly ovate and pointed, with a clear nerve. Cells are more or less rounded in most of the leaf, and are strongly papillose. The axils of the leaves contain tiny multicellular gemmae (multicellular propagules) which can barely be seen with a hand lens. Under the microscope characters of the gemmae are important for separating this from other species of Zygodon. The photograph shows clearly the difference in appearance of this plant in the wet (left) and dry (right) states.