Stem leaves broadly lanceolate to lanceolate, narrowly obtuse or bluntly acute; margins entire. Seta 0.5--1 mm; urn oblong-cylindric, gradually contracted to seta through long neck, constricted below mouth, 1.5--2 mm; endostome segments 8, of 1 row of cells, smooth; exostome teeth 8, recurved-reflexed, finely papillose. Calyptra sparsely hairy, the hairs smooth. Spores 13--20 µm.

Basaltic boulders in spruce-popular forests; 3000 m; Ariz. Endemic.

Orthotrichum pallens var. johnseniae is distinguished by its hairy calyptra. It has 8 endostome segments and capsules that are shorter and moderately constricted under the mouth. The stomates are barely covered with subsidiary cells, which usually have their interior walls thickened, and the exostome teeth tend to be somewhat recurved instead of reflexed.