A lectotype for Gymnostomum pennatum Hedw. [Schistostega pennata (Hedw.) F.Weber & D.Mohr] is selected herein. This entity was first described by Dickson (1785) as Mnium osmundaceum Dicks. before ascribed to Hedwig (1801) under the name Gymnostomum pennatum. Potential type material from G (Hedwig–Schwägrichen collection) as well as earlier collections in BM (Herb. Dickson) and K (Herb. Lightfoot) were examined and a lectotype was selected for this early moss name from amongst the extant material.