Plants 7-10 mm, dark brown green. Leaves broadly ovate-lanceolate, 0.9-1.2 × 0.4 mm, margins plane, apex plane, awn 0.2-1 mm, lamina non-plicate; basal juxtacostal laminal cells rectangular to long-rectangular, 27-51 × 8-12 µm, thin- to thick-walled; basal marginal laminal cells oblate to quadrate, 5-12 × 9-12 µm, evenly thick-walled; medial laminal cells 1-stratose; distal laminal cells 1-stratose. Sexual condition dioicous. Seta 0.3-0.5 mm. Capsule immersed, cupulate; peristome present, scalloped, xerocastique. Siliceous or granite-slate outcrops; moderate to high elevations (1500-1700 m); B.C., Yukon; Alaska.