Ecology: Open montane, to be expected in the páramo and humid puna; on soil. Elevation: 1850-3385 m (Venezuela: ? m, Ecuador: 1850-3385 m, Peru: ? m, Bolivia: 2200 m). Distribution: Widespread in the Northern Hemisphere.

      Bryum caespiticium is characterized by the distally crowded, imbricate, ovate-lanceolate (to 3 mm long) leaves, recurved and subentire margins, strong, excurrent costa, elongate and firm-walled cells above, rectangular basal cells, dioicous sexual condition and well developed peristome. This species is likely to be confused with B. pallescens, both are virtually identical gametophytically, the latter however exhibits relatively shorter laminal cells and a short excurrent costa; the monoicous sexual condition (autoicous or synoicous) is the most reliable feature.

      Specimens: BOLIVIA. Cochabamba: Herzog 5083 (JE).