It is endemic to the northern Andes of Colombia.

It is known from three collections in the central and northern Andes.

It occurs in subtropical and paramo zones of the northern Andes.

In the northern Andes, the latter is located at an altitude of approximately 15,000 ft (or about 4,500 m).

By the 3rd century, the Chibchas had established their civilization in the northern Andes.

Among the many threats they face, their wintering habitat in the northern Andes is dwindling rapidly.

A few Baccharis species (especially from the northern Andes) are almost extinct due to habitat destruction.

Antisana is a stratovolcano of the northern Andes, in Ecuador.

Deforestation has been extensive and in some cases, like the northern Andes, 90-95% of forests have been cleared.

The pass, at 4,072 feet, wasn't high, and altitude sickness was not a concern, unlike in the northern Andes.