Ecology: Montane forest to shrubby páramo and humid puna; epiphytic, on shrubs (including Berberis), possibly on soil. Elevation: 1600-4000 m (Venezuela: 3340-3750 m, Ecuador: 1600-3540 m, Peru: 3950-4000 m, Bolivia: 2600-3700 m). Distribution: Endemic to the tropical Andes.

This species is distinguished by the rather robust stature, lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate leaves to 3.5 mm long, somewhat contorted when dry, spreading when wet, long acuminate apex, percurrent (extending into the apiculus) to excurrent costa, laminal cells gradually narrower toward the margin, but not forming a border, rhomboidal-hexagonal upper cells to 16 µm, long, slender setae to 20 mm, elongate-pyriform capsules to 3 mm, hemispherical, apiculate operculum.