Plants small, green, very glossy. Stems 0.3-1 cm. Leaves erect to ± spreading, lanceolate, 0.9-1.8 mm; ; margins serrulate to serrate in distal 1/3, coarsely serrate at apex; costa sub-percurrent; distal medial laminal cells linear-vermicular, 110-145µm, walls thin. Specialized asexual reproduction absent. Sexual condition dioicous; perigonial leaves ovate; perichaetial leaves differentiated, linear-lanceolate. Seta orange-brown. Capsule inclined 120-180°, brown to stramineous, pyriform, neck 1/3 urn length; exothecial cells short-rectangular, walls sinuate; stomata superficial; annulus present; operculum convex-conic; exostome teeth yellow-brown, narrowly triangular-acute; endostome hyaline, basal membrane 1/2 exostome length, segments , distinctly keeled, broadly perforate, cilia short to rudimentary. Spores 15-21 µm, finely roughened.

Capsules mature spring (Apr-Jun). Acid clay or sandy soil in disturbed places, stream banks, ditches; low elevations; B.C.; Calif., Oreg., Utah, Wash.

Pohlia pacifica is similar to P. lescuriana, but is distinguished by its glossy leaves and longer laminal cells. The perichaetial leaves of P. pacifica are up to 3.2 mm long.