The plant forms bright green mats up to 7 cm (2.8 in) in diameter on tree bark and occasionally on rocks.

Lejeunea hodgsoniana was first recognised as a distinct species in 1980 by the German bryologist Riclef Grolle, who annotated several specimens at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (WELT) with this name.

While Hodgson never worked directly with the Lejeuneaceae, she published important studies on several other liverwort genera including Schistochila, Heteroscyphus, and Radula.

However, Lejeunea hodgsoniana can be distinguished from both these species by its larger size, differently shaped underleaves, and other structural details.

[2] Lejeunea hodgsoniana is a small liverwort that forms bright green, circular or extensive mats on tree bark and occasionally on rocks.

[2] The underleaves (modified leaves on the lower surface of the stem) are spaced apart from each other and oval-shaped, with two long, narrow lobes that typically end in a single pointed cell.

These underleaves are attached to the stem by three cells and often produce clusters of root-like structures called rhizoids that help anchor the plant.

[2] The species can be distinguished from similar liverworts by its relatively large size, the distinctive multi-celled tooth on its lower leaf lobes, and its deeply divided underleaves with pointed tips.

[2] While primarily found on tree bark, the species occasionally grows on shaded rocks, particularly in stream beds.

[2] Despite its relatively restricted geographic range, L. hodgsoniana is considered "Not Threatened" under the New Zealand Threat Classification System.