Description - A small blueish-green liverwort which is purple beneath. The reproductive structures are contained in a purple mussel-shaped enclosure under the apex of the thallus.

Habitat - On very dry, often sun-baked and south facing roadside banks.

Comments - In summer this species curls up and is hard to find,the thallus shows then as a black thread, and only the reproductive structures are obvious. If it is wetted the threads gradually uncurl to show the green top surface of the thallus.