Some similarities to : Red-stem (Pleurozium schreberi) but that moss is singly pinnate or with Tamarisk Moss (Thuidium tamariscinum) but that is tripinnate and has a green stem and no gloss on the feathery fronds.

No relation to : Moss Campion or Mossy Saxifrage [plants with similar names].

Step Moss inhabits heaths, moorland, grassland, old fixed dunes, mountains and upland woods. It likes to grow with other mosses or with heather or grass on turf or rocky banks and mountain ledges providing it is moist.

It has a stepped appearance caused by new growth growing up from the old growth, thus tends to get quite mattressy.