Neckera douglasii is the only species of the genus with large recurved teeth at the leaf apex; the species is limited to western North America. The stem leaf base is slightly auriculate; the basal laminal cell walls are porose; and the distal medial and apical cell walls are slightly pitted.

Plants (7-)10-14(-20) cm. Stems with branches common, attenuate; paraphyllia absent. Stem leaves (central) oblong to oblong-lanceolate, strongly undulate, 3.5-5 × 1-1.5(-2) mm; margins entire to slightly serrulate proximally, serrate to dentate at apex; apex abruptly acute to acuminate; costa double, single, short, or ecostate; alar cells irregularly rectangular; basal laminal cells fusiform to rectangular, (7-)10-12(-15) × 1-2 µm; distal medial cells linear-flexuose, (30-)42-60 × 2 µm; apical cells rectangular, (13-)18-30 × 2-3 µm. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta (0.2-)0.4-0.6 cm. Capsule exserted.

Decaying logs, trunks, hanging from branches, soil, rock of mixed conifer-hardwood forests, redwood forests, humid coastal forests; low to moderate elevations (0-500 m); B.C.; Alaska, Calif., Idaho, Oreg., Wash.