1a. Leaf margins are entire and in-folded.                                             —–Polytrichum juniperinum.

1b. Leaf margins are toothed. —–2.

2a.  Seta of the sporophyte is pale green or yellow-green,               When the calyptra falls off the capsule it reveals a long            conical beaked lid.                                                             —–Polytrichum pallidisetum.

2b. Seta of the sporophyte is reddish brown, capsule with out        calyptra has a shorter tip. —–3.

3a. Capsules short, box like, often with four sides, and short           needle like projection on lid.—–Polytrichum commune.

3b. Capsules elongated with conical projection on the lid.               —–Polytrichum ohioense.