Plants: clustered in loose to compact tufts, black or brown with age. Stems: ca. 4–10 cm, central strand absent; rhizoids forming a †hold-fast,† occasionally extending from stem and abaxial surface of leaves. Leaves: erect to patent when dry, when present pseudocosta marginal [submarginal]; apex often cucullate. Outer perichaetial leaves one-third shorter than inner leaves. Vaginula: forming a sheath around proximal third or fourth of seta. Seta: 1/3–1/2 capsule length. Capsule: glossy black with age, columella when dry appearing longitudinally ribbed, when wet expanding, becoming stoutly cylindrical or ovoid. Spores: 30–55 µm. nw North America, temperate South America, n Asia.
Species 3 (2 in the flora). Scouleria patagonica) is the only taxon found in South America.