Ecology and distribution. Open montane to puna; on soil. At elevations from 3550-4300 m (Peru: 4300 m, Bolivia: 3550 m).
Bryoerythrophyllum calcareum is distinguished by the small plant stature to 12 mm, axillary gemmae, ligulate leaves to ca. 1.5 mm, obtuse-rounded apex, recurved and entire margins distally differentiated in 2-3 rows of thick-walled cells.