Plants ± moderate-sized, capitula flat-topped and stellate to some-what hemispherical; variegated pale yellowish and red, sometimes partially green or completely red; without metallic lustre when dry. Stems pale yellow to red; superficial cortical cells aporose. Stem leaves narrowly lingulate-triangular, 1.2-1.8 mm, apex acute to apiculate, border not developed much along margins and narrow at base (occupying less than 0.25 the width of the base); hyaline cells rhombic, mostly 0-1-septate. Branches usually strongly 5-ranked. Branch fascicles with 2 spreading and 1-2 pendent branches. Branch leaves narrowly ovate-lanceolate, 1.2-1.5 mm, concave, straight, apex strongly involute, border entire, hyaline cells on convex surface with 3-9 faintly ringed rounded-elliptic pores along the commissures often quite small apically, largely aporose on concave surface. Sexual condition dioicous. Spores 19-28 µm; coarsely papillose on both surfaces with a distinct ridged border around perimeter of proximal surface; proximal laesura less than 0.5 spore radius.
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