The flattened shoots (up to 6 cm long) and shiny, rounded leaves (just over 1 mm long) of Homalia trichomanoides look somewhat like a leafy liverwort. When dry, the leaves curve downwards at the tip, giving the shoots an arched back. A faint nerve extends at least halfway along the leaf. Egg-shaped capsules 1.5 mm long are not uncommon.

On rocks and the base of trees and shrubs in shaded sites such as woods and hedgerows. It particularly favours sites by ditches, streams and rivers, growing in the flood zone, but well above the normal water level. It may also be found on rocks and walls.

All year round.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.