S. bryoides is a rather nondescript moss that grows on earth banks and sometimes on rocks in higher altitude forest. The shoots are red-stemmed and near dense tomentum (hairs) at the base. The leaves are narrowly triangular and glaucous green, with a nerve that ends just below the leaf apex.

Some species of Pohlia is very similar but the capsules of Pohlia develop terminally while those of S. bryoides develop basally.