Ecology and distribution. High open shrubby montane to páramo and puna, probably high, dry inter-Andean valleys; on soil and rocks. At elevations from 2400-4850 m (Venezuela: 3200-3900 m, Ecuador: 3690-3800 m, Peru: 2400-3800 m, Bolivia: 2700-4850 m). Mexico and tropical Andes.
Bryoerythrophyllum bolivianum is distinguished by the small stature of the plants to 10(15) mm, ovate, concave leaves to 1 mm, ± cucullate, obtuse apex, recurved leaf margins to near apex, quadrate to short-rectangular laminal cells, and somewhat hyaline lower and basal cells.