The mosses in this family have three rows of leaves. The two larger ones on either side of the stem form the main visible part of the frond, while underneath the stem is the third row, smaller than the other leaves. Some species in this family have an umbrella shape to them.

This has quite a small pale frond, and can be seen in large masses on the stems of pungas and other trees, and on banks.

The leaf edges have very fine hairs on them - hence the name 'ciliatum'.

This image to the right shows the "hairy" appearance of the leaves when seen close up. and also a sporophyte.

This one would easily be mistaken as a fern, or even a liverwort. It seems to like damp shady areas - banks and rocks by steams.

You wont see the capsules of this one unless you look on the underneath side of the frond, where they appear on short setae (stalks) from underneath the third row of leaves.