AbstractThe morphology of leaves, stems and axillary hairs is compared and described inOxystegus sinuosusandO. tenuirostris. It is suggested thatO. sinuosusfalls within the range of variation ofBarbula ascurrently understood in Britain, but thatO. tenuirostrisis closer toTrichostomum. The morphology of the axillary hairs does not throw much light on its affinities withinBarbula, but a position close toB. cylindricais probably the most appropriate.