P. imbricata is a rock dwelling moss, usually on siliceous or calcareous substrates. Plants have a general dull greenish-brow appearance with near parallel shoots forming neat prostrate mats. The leaves are ovate, shortly pointed and with a nerve that ends about three-quarters of the way up the leaf. tightly overlapping on the stem. Capsules are banana-shaped and borne on a c. 1cm long reddish-brown stalk.