Symblepharis Mont., Ann. Sci. Nat. Bot. sér. 2, 8: 252. 1837.
Plants medium to large, in dense tufts; stems erect, densely foliate, central strand present. Leaves abruptly linear-lanceolate from an obovate, strongly clasping base, wide-spreading to squarrose, crispate when dry; costa shortly excurrent to percurrent; leaf cells smooth; basal leaf cells elongate-rectangular, thin-walled, hyaline, sharply contrasting with the small, thick-walled, quadrate upper leaf cells; alar cells not differentiated. Autoicous. Perichaetial leaves short. Setae elongate, single or aggregated; capsules erect; peristome teeth divided; opercula rostrate. Calyptrae cucullate, entire at base.