Plants robust, (3--)5--8 mm wide measured across leafy stem, to 12 cm long. Stem leaves (2.5--) 3.6--5.3 × 1.2--2.2 mm; median cells 40--90 × 5--9 µm; alar cells shorter and wider than basal cells, 18--38 × 12--25 µm. Branch leaves 2.2--4.0 × 0.9--1.3 mm. Seta 17--30 mm. Capsule ellipsoid when wet, arcutate when dry, 2--3.4 mm.

Soil, litter, and rock in montane coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest, occasionally extending into alpine tundra; 300--2500 m; Alta., B.C.; Alaska, Idaho, Mont., Oreg., Wash.

Plants in subalpine forest and alpine tundra are generally smaller with leaves only 2.5--3.5 mm long and leafy stems just 3--4 mm wide.