The type specimen was collected in Bolivia, within the La Paz Department, Manco Kapac Province.

The collection site is located on Mount Horca del Inca, near the village of Copacabana, at an elevation of 3,974 m (13,038 ft).

[2] Like other members of the genus Lepraria, this lichen forms a powdery, crust-like growth (the thallus) that never develops fruiting bodies (apothecia).

The reproductive structures consist of abundant fine powder-like granules (soredia) up to 45 μm in diameter.

It has been found in open areas of high Andean Puna grassland vegetation and upper montane cloud forest.