It grows in the Puna grasslands of the Andes in Peru, Bolivia, northern Chile and western Argentina at altitudes between 3,200 and 5,250 metres (10,500 and 17,220 ft).

[1][2] Yareta is an evergreen perennial with a low, mat-like shape and hemispherical growth form that grows to around 6 m (20 ft) in diameter.

It can grow in nutritionally poor soils that are acidic, neutral or basic (alkaline) at altitudes of up to 5,200 metres (17,100 ft).

The plant's leaves grow into an extremely compact, dense mat that reduces heat and water loss.

This temperature difference is a result of the longwave radiation re-radiated by the soil surface, which is usually dark gray to black in the Puna.