Ecology: Páramo and puna, rare in open montane?; on humus or humus covered rocks and soil. Elevation: 2200-3900 m (Colombia: 3300-3745 m, Peru: 2200-3900 m, Bolivia: 3400 m). Distribution: Endemic to the tropical Andes (Colombia to Bolivia).
Specimens: COLOMBIA. Cundinamarca: Cleef 4928 (MO, NY), Cleef 6294 (MO). BOLIVIA. Cochabamba: Herzog 2933 (JE).
Breutelia brevifolia Herzog, Biblioth. Bot. 87: 100. 1916. Type: Bolivia. An der Waldgrenze über Tablas, ca. 3400 m, Herzog 2933.