Grows in Central America, in moist cloud forests at 2500-3000m on conifers. Very closely related to T. macdougallii and T. andrieuxii, with which it is found. (Rauh 1979).
In Mexico, the plant is reduced to a soup in water, mixed with 50% alcohol as a preservative, then taken one teaspoonful each morning for anaemia and kidney trouble. Local names are "hierba de pajaro," "lichen de enchino," and "mescalito." Also used in Ecuador to cure kidney troubles. (Rios A. & Khan, 1998)
