T. planifolium is uncommon epiphyte of rainforest or wet forest. The shoots are roughly pinnate and old fronds have a silvery sheen.

The leaves are faintly nerved or lacking a nerve altogether. The leaf margins are strongly toothed, particularly toward the leaf apex.

The species bears resemblance to some species of Hypnodendron but the latter taxon is easily distinguished by the strong leaf nerve.

The genus Trachyloma was previously placed under the Pterobryaceae.