Seta 5-10 mm, straight. Capsule, when mature, ovoid, 3-5 mm, stamineous to opalescent and glossy, oblique face gradually differentiated from lower face, with exterior membrane splitting longitudinally and incurved or curved outward when drying. Spores 8-12 µm.
Capsules mature late summer-fall. Decorticated wood or humus banks in coniferous forests; high (subalpine) elevations; Alta., B.C.; Calif., Idaho, Mont., Oreg., Wash.; Europe.