Soil, rock, logs, under shaded cliffs or shaded boulders by streams, wet rock crevices in forests. low to moderate elevations (0-600 m). B.C., Calif., Idaho, Oreg., Wash.
In the flora area, Porotrichum bigelovii is immediately distinguished from other dendroid mosses by its soft appearance due to the complanate leaves and stem. In addition, the costa narrowing toward the apex separates P. bigelovii from species of Thamnobryum.