Its native habitat is found in the high altitude ranges of the peruvian Andes.

The thick leaves are cuneate and U-shaped in cross-section with epidermal windows on the top-side.

The leaf color is bright green in the shady summer and reddish during dry sunny seasons.

For example, the variety P. nivalis lepadiphylla features trailing rather than erect stems and shorter leaves which resemble peas or lentils.

Due to their fleshy leaves and stems they are drought-tolerant and can survive weeks without water.