Plants in loose tufts or extensive mats, dark green to dark yellow-brown. Stems 1.5--3 cm. Branch leaves flexuose-spreading moist or dry, ovate-lanceolate, abruptly subulate from ovate base, finely serrate, 2.5--5 mm, subtubulose above, sheathing at base, margins plane; costa stout, mostly percurrent; laminal cells 2-stratose; distal laminal cells mostly subquadrate; basal laminal cells elongate, rectangular, incrassate, alar slightly differentiated. Seta 5--8 mm. Capsule yellow-brown, nearly smooth at maturity, 1--1.5 mm. Spores 16--19 µm.

Capsules mature summer. Moist acidic rocks or cliffs near streams or waterfalls; Ga., N.C., Pa., S.C., Tenn., W.Va.

This rare species has a south temperate distribution and is distinguished by its dark color and rocky habitat. Although O. virens is also saxicolous, that species is distinguished by its folded leaves, which have revolute margins, and are gradually subulate, lacking a sheathing base. Onchophorus wahlenbergii is an epixylic species with leaves strongly contorted when dry, the lamina is only 2-stratose at the margins, and the seta is usually longer.