Ecology: Upper open montane to páramo; on trunk and branches of shrubs, and over humus. Elevation: 3000-4200 elevation (Colombia: 3000-3700 m, Ecuador: 3970-4200 m). Distribution: Endemic to the tropical Andes.
Ecología: Bosque montano superior a páramo; sobre tronco y ramas de arbustos, y sobre humus. Elevación: 3000-4200 (Colombia: 3000-3700 m, Ecuador: 3970-4200 m). Distribución: Endémica para los Andes tropicales (Colombia y Ecuador).
Zygodon squarrosus is a very distinctive species with the leaves ± broadly elliptical in shape, lower portion appressed to the stem, the upper portion wide spreading to recurved, the apices broadly acute, and base long decurrent. This species is possibly related to Zygodon nivalis Hampe which has leaves narrowly oblong-elliptical and apices more narrowly acute.
Type: Leptostomum squarrosum Taylor. Ecuador. In marshy situations, 14,000 feet, on Cayambe, Jameson (FH). London J. Bot. 5: 43. 1846.