Plants: absent distinctive odor when dry, distal portion of leafy shoot readily caducous. Stems: in cross section with 2 layers of thicker walled epidermal cells, stoloniferous stems mainly subterranean. Leaves: typically of thick-walled cells, in 4 segments, connate at base, cross section of each segment with 3–5 inner cells and 10–15 smaller outer epidermal cells, outer cells small, 25 × 10 µm, regularly arranged. Slime hairs thick-walled. Sporophytes: infrequent. Capsule: terminal, usually single. Phenology: Capsules mature late summer–early fall (Jul–Sep).
Uncommon to rare on moist soils and shaded banks, slopes and over rocks in tundra. low to moderate elevations (70-700 m). Alaska, Asia (China in Yunnan, India in Sikkim, Nepal).
Takakia ceratophylla appears to be somewhat tolerant of desiccation. Frequently it grows with other drought-tolerant bryophytes such as Andreaea and Gymnomitrion. The shoots are more rigid than those of T. lepidozioides, and leaf arrangement is more regular. Rhizomatous shoots are predominantly subterranean.