[4] The species was originally named Marchantia tenerum by Hooker, but later placed in the genus Cryptomitrium by Austin before being revised into its current description by Underwood in 1884.

[2] The common name for Cryptomitrium tenerum is the flying saucer liverwort referring to the flat disc-shaped sporangiophore perched on a tall thin stalk.

As in certain related species, such as Asterella, the antheridia form a narrow, elongated, median, dorsal group lying immediately posterior to the female receptacle.

[5] Sporangia brown, nearly spherical, with very short seta, three to seven per receptacle, each opening by a lid; mauring in early spring.

[6] Cryptomitrium tenerum occurs in Mediterranean climates with cool wet winters and dry summers and forms small to locally extensive mats on bare and usually shaded humid soil on hillsides, rock outcrops, and streambanks.