[citation needed] There are significant differences in seed form between populations in the north (e.g. Chilecito, Fiambalá and Pipanaco) and in the south (e.g. San Rafael).

Its range includes western Argentina, northern Chile and possibly the southern part of Bolivia.

It is extremely efficient with water consumption, producing most of its fruits in drought years, and has been successfully introduced into other arid regions.

The rainy season normally starts in November and new foliage appears in early spring, irrespective of the actual arrival of the rains.

In more humid areas, the predominant species is the white quebracho (Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco), followed by N. flexuosa, chaparral (Larrea divaricata), Mimozyganthus carinatus and Acacia furcatispina.

Under more arid conditions, N. flexuosa may predominate in open woodland with the Chilean greenwood (Geoffroea decorticans) and an understorey of caperbush (Capparis atamisquea), saltbush (Atriplex lampa) and seablite (Suaeda divaricata) also being present.