Ecology: Lowland to premontane forest; on soil banks and rocks, possibly epiphytic. Elevation: 240-1220 m (Venezuela: 130-1220 m, Colombia: 885-930 m, Bolivia: 240-400 m). Distribution: Widespread in the Neotropics.
Fissidens palmatus, previous known as F. reticulosus (Müll. Hal.) Mitt., is distinguished by the oblong to oblong-lanceolate leaves, acute to short acuminate apex, entire margins, serrulate at apex, bordered throughout, ending a few cells below apex, percurrent costa, or costa ending well below the apex, vaginant laminae ca. 1/2 of the leaf length, thin-walled, smooth to bulging laminal cells, and inclined to horizontal capsules. This species has been found among twigs and soil in the nest of Turdus hauxwelli in the Chiquitano forest of Bolivia.
Fissidens palmatus, previamente conocida como F. reticulosus (Müll. Hal.) Mitt., se distingue por tener hojas oblongas a oblongo-lanceoladas, ápices agudos a corto acuminados, márgenes enteros, serrulados en el ápice, completamente bordeados, terminando unas pocas células debajo del ápice, costa percurrente, o costa terminando muy por debajo del ápice, lámina vaginante ca. 1/2 del largo de la hoja, células de la lámina lisas a abultada, con paredes delgadas y cápsulas inclinadas a horizontales.