Plants to 1.5 cm. Stem leaves rigid, erect when dry, ligulate- to elliptic-lanceolate, to 5 mm; margins recurved from just beyond base to near apex, entire; apex obtuse to rounded-acute; basal laminal cells short-rectangular, walls thin, not nodose; distal cells 13-16 µm, 1-stratose, papillae 2 or 3 per cell, simple to 2-fid, high; . Specialized asexual reproduction absent. Sexual condition gonioautoicous. Seta to 0.5 mm. Capsule immersed, short-cylindric to oblong-ovate, 1-2 mm, strongly 8-ribbed entire length, constricted below mouth when dry; stomata immersed, <2/3 to completely covered by subsidiary cells, cells projecting, inner walls thickened>; peristome double; prostome absent; exostome teeth 8, reflexed, papillose to papillose-reticulate near apex; endostome segments 8, occasionally 16, well developed, of 1 row of cells, smooth or roughened. Calyptra oblong, smooth, hairy, hairs papillose. Spores 15-18 µm.

Dry granitic rock; of conservation concern; moderate to high elevations (1100-1600 m); Calif.

Orthotrichum shevockii is known only from the southern Sierra Mountains. The species is distinguished by small, blackish tufts, obtuse to bluntly acute leaf apices, strongly multipapillose distal laminal cells, 2-stratose (or more) leaf margins, and completely immersed, strongly 8-ribbed capsules with immersed stomata, reflexed exostome teeth, well-developed endostome, and papillose calyptra hairs.