Campylopus cavifolius Mitt., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 12: 87. 1869. Syntypes. Ecuador, Andes Quitenses, in montibus Chimborazo Cordovasto, Titaicun, Spruce 50, Jameson.

Plants large, compactly tufted, greenish yellow, frequently dark reddish yellow, more or less glossy; stems moderately tomentose, to 8 cm long, hyalodermis present, of 1–2 layers of enlarged, thin-walled, hyaline cells. Leaves 10–12 mm long, stiffly erect, linear-lanceolate, apex setaceous; margins entire below, weakly toothed at the extreme apex; costa excurrent, at times subhyaline at tip, 3/4 the leaf width at base, dorsal surface smooth, in cross section ventral hyalocysts large and well developed, guide cells well developed, stereid cells present in the middle of leaf but not extending to costa margins, the edges of costa therefore composed of 2–3 layers of enlarged, thin-walled cells; upper cells narrowly oblong to linear, 20–50 µm long, incrassate, not porose, more or less flexuous; basal cells incrassate, not porose, long rectangular, near the costa 40–65 µm, becoming narrow and elongate toward the margins and forming a distinct border to 10 cells wide; alar cells reddish, weakly developed, frequently remaining on stem when leaves are dissected away. Sporophytes not seen.