Plants: 1–4 cm. Stem: leaves linear-lanceolate, 1.5–4 mm; margins recurved, toothed or entire proximally, toothed or notched distally; basal laminal cells yellowish, walls thick; distal cells 9–11 µm, slightly obscured by papillae, papillae elliptic, small. Sexual: condition dioicous; perichaetial leaves elongate, narrow, base subsheathing, apex long-pointed. Seta: 1.5–2 mm. Capsule: immersed to emergent, 1.2–1.6 mm; operculum conic-apiculate, less than diam. of capsule. Spores: 10–15 µm.
Crevices of neutral to acidic rock. moderate elevations. B.C., Calif., Idaho, Oreg., Wash.
Amphidium californicum is distinguished by the linear leaves with notched distal margins. Amphidium lapponicum has decidedly broader leaves and distal cells obscured by large, warty, cuticular papillae.