Plants: reddish brown to dark brown. Stems: 0.2–0.8 cm. Stem: leaves oblong to oblong-ligulate, rugose, 1.4–1.6 mm; margins entire; apex abruptly apiculate; costa short-excurrent; distal laminal cells rounded-quadrate, 5–9 µm. Seta: 2.5–4 mm. Capsule: 1.7–2.2 mm. Calyptra: papillose distally.
Logs, trunks of trees frequently above 3 m, branches in tree canopies. low elevations. Ala., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America.
Schlotheimia rugifolia is distinguished by its rugose, abruptly apiculate leaves. Characteristically, the plants have a dark reddish brown color, which is best developed under xeric conditions.