Widely distributed throughout the world, S. apocarpum is a usually found on loose turfs on rocks but may also be found growing semi-aquatically or even in submerged conditions.

Outwardly, S. apocarpum resembles Racomitrium crispulum var. crispulum, which occurs in similar habitats. The capsules of S. apocarpum however, are quite distinctively immersed (i.e, more or less covered by leaves) and brandishes a wide and bright orange mouth when the operculum falls off.