Stems: with branches short to elongate, simple. Leaves: ascending when moist, 1 mm; apex rounded to bluntly acute; costa ending in base of acumen, laterally spurred, tip 2-fid. Perichaetia: with inner leaves 1.6–1.8 mm, apex apiculate or awn short, rough, to 1/6–1/4 length expanded portion of leaf. Capsule: with peristome single; exostome teeth connate in pairs; endostome absent. Calyptra: narrowly conic-subcucullate. Spores: papillose. Phenology: Capsules mature Apr–May.
Trunks and branches of saplings, living and dead trees, exposed roots, forests. low to moderate elevations (0-300 m). Ark., Ga., Miss., N.C., Okla., S.C., Tenn., Va.
Cryphaea ravenelii is rare. Although similar at first glance to C. glomerata, the species can be easily distinguished by its blunt leaf apices and paired exostome teeth. Furthermore, the interior perichaetial leaves of C. glomerata have a greater tendency to be awned than those of C. ravenelii. Cryphaea ravenelii occupies the same habitats as C. glomerata, and the two species have often been collected growing together.