Ecology: Open premontane to montane, possibly páramo; on soil. Elevation: 1050-4100 m (Colombia: 1050-3200 m, Ecuador: 3385-4100 m). Distribution: Widespread.
Ecología: Región premontana abierta a montana; sobre suelo. Elevación: 1050-4100 m (Colombia: 1050-3200 m, Ecuador: 3385-4100 m). Distribución: Ampliamente distribuida.
Bryum dichotomum is distinguished by leaves ovate to ovate-lanceolate (1-1.5 mm long, rarely 1.7), leaf border absent or indistinct, costa usually short or sometimes long excurrent, laminal cells firm-walled, basal cells quadrate, and sexual condition dioicous. Both B. dichotomum and B. coronatum share some capsule features, usually dark red with a swollen neck, in the former species the neck is only slightly enlarged, whereas in the latter the neck is conspicuously enlarged, wrinkled when dry (broader than the urn). It seems unlikely that this species is found at elevations much beyond 2500 m. Bryum bicolor Dicks., a name used widely in previous literature is a synonym. An additional synonym includes Bryum remotifolium Hampe.