Tibet; the lowest limit being .

It is a shrub growing to tall, with largely horizontal branching. The leaves are dark gray-green, dimorphic, with adult plants having mostly scale-like leaves long, while young plants have mostly needle-like leaves 5-8 mm long, but needle-like leaves can also be found on shaded shoots of adult plants. The leaves are borne in whorls of three on strong stout main stem shoots, and opposite pairs on thinner,