Another common, distinctive and large genus of the Polytrichaceae is Atrichum. There are several species, some of which were, until recently, regarded as varieties of a larger species Atrichum undulatum. That was an apt name, since it described the appearance of these plants: when dry they become twisted and contorted in a distinct way (i.e., they are undulate). Atrichum has leaf blades that are one cell thick, and there are many fewer lamellae than Polytrichum, so it has a more delicate, herbaceous appearance.
 

. 

 
Another common moss with leaves that are more than one cell thick is Leucobryum glaucum, sometimes called "pincushion moss" because it often occurs in fist-sized round-edged tufts on the ground.



Leucobryum (the name means "white moss") is easily recognized by its ghostly white appearance.