Plants to 2.5 cm (usually less than 1 cm). Stem leaves slightly crisped and curved when dry, narrowly lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 1.5--2.5 mm, leaf base oblong; margin broadly reflexed or plane, distal laminal cells 8--12 µm wide, smooth or with small papillae; basal laminal cells hexagonal-rounded, thick-walled. Sexual condition autoicous. Seta 1.8--3.2 mm. Capsule oblong-ovate when mature, oblong-cylindric when old and dry, 1--2 mm, strongly 8-ribbed ± 3/4 length; stomates numerous in neck and proximal portion; peristome double; endostome segments 8, incurved, delicate, caducous; exostome teeth 8, ± split to 16, reflexed, evenly papillose. Calyptra short-conic, sparsely hairy or with few hairs near apex. Spores 16--21 µm.

Tree trunks and branches; at low elevations; B.C.; Alaska. Endemic.

Ulota barclayi, described from Alaska, may or may not be a species distinct from the eastern Asian U. japonica; these species need further study. From other West Coast species of the genus, these populations differ in leaves only slightly twisted and curved, strongly differentiated perichaetial leaves, cushion-forming erect plants, reflexed exostome, and small spores.