[5] Its leaves are sharply pointed with a single costa and lanceolate linear leaf morphology, being very slender and reaching lengths of 2.5 to 6.5 mm.

[7] The lamina cells of its leaves are papillose, and the entire leaf surface can often be found dusted with brown asexual propagules (gemmae) which may help to distinguish it from similar species such as Orthotrichum papillosum.

[7] Distribution of Orthotrichum lyellii in North America is primarily restricted to west of the Rocky Mountains, extending from Southeastern Alaska to California.

[4] It can also be found distributed throughout Europe, descending from the United Kingdom to the Mediterranean area of North Africa and Western Asia.

[5] Similar to many mosses of the Orthotrichum genus, the calyptra is hairy with straight hairs running its length, often pointed towards its tip.