Leaves cochleariform.

Sporophytes unknown. Moist calcareous area of Arctic tundra; near sea level to 1100 m; Nunavut; Greenland (?).

Orthothecium chryseum is characterized by robust stems ca. 3 mm wide and over 4 cm long, and its distinctly golden, plicate leaves with short-acuminate points. It is by far the most common Orthothecium in North America. The var. cochlearifolium is known from a few localities in Nunavut. It is distinguished by distinctly cochleariform leaves.