Stems: inconspicuous, branches slender, to 15+ cm. Stem: leaves 1.5–2 mm; apex filiform; costa faint or strong. Branch: leaves triangular-acuminate proximally, 2 mm, slender-acuminate distally, 1–1.5 mm; costa ending mid leaf; alar cells quadrate; medial laminal cells 60 µm, papillae usually (2–)3–5-seriate, on abaxial and adaxial surfaces. Perigonia: unknown. Perichaetia: usually on proximal portions of branches. Seta: brown, 2–2.5 mm. Capsule: dark brown at maturity, 1–1.5 mm; operculum 0.7–0.8 mm. Calyptra: conic-mitrate, erose proximally. Spores: 15–26 µm. Phenology: Capsules mature Mar.
Deep, cool, shady, humid ravines in deciduous forests, on Arundinaria, shrubs, tree branches, exposed roots along ravines. low elevations (10-20 m). La., Miss., Mexico, Asia.
Barbella pendula is not common in the flora area but may be abundant locally. The delicate, yellowish green plants dangle in conspicuous, tangled festoons in their ravine-bottom habitat. The striking habit of B. pendula and the somewhat dimorphic branch leaves, including the distal with 1-seriate, filiform apices, make the species unmistakable. Barbella pendula has been reported from Florida, but the collections are either Papillaria nigrescens or of uncertain provenance. Perigonia have never been found in specimens (some abundantly fruiting) of B. pendula from the flora area.