Distribution
Argentina, Chile

Native to southwest Argentina and southern and central Chile, where it grows at 600 to 1,800 m above sea level.
Ecology: mixed deciduous and evergreen forest, or growing as pure stands; in moist loamy soil or in stabilised volcanic ash; on the lower slopes of mountains.

An evergreen, pyramid-shaped tree grows up to 50 m high with a trunk circumference of up to 2.5 m.
The leaves are thick, tough, and scale-like, triangular, 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) long, 1-3 cm (0.39-1.18 in) broad at the base, and with sharp edges and tips, rather similar to the leaves of the unrelated succulent plant, Crassula muscosa. The leaves have an average lifespan of 24 years and so cover most of the tree except for the older branches.
It is usually dioecious, with the male and female cones on separate trees, though occasional individuals bear cones of both sexes. The male (pollen) cones are oblong and cucumber-shaped, 4 cm (1.6 in) long at first, expanding to 8-12 cm (3.1-4.7 in) long by 5-6 cm (2.0-2.4 in) broad at pollen release. It is wind pollinated. The female (seed) cones, which mature in autumn about 18 months after pollination, are globose, large, 12-20 cm (4.7-7.9 in) in diameter, and hold about 200 seeds. The cones disintegrate at maturity to release the 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) long nut-like seeds.