Locally common on exposed limestone cliff faces. Growing in joints and in talus rubble . Associated with Olearia furfuracea, Phormium cookianum subsp. hookeri, Celmisia aff. gracilenta "Te Mata Peak", Veronica stenophylla var. stenophylla and V. stricta var. stricta.

Chionochloa flavicans fo. temata is one of three vascular plants (two named) endemic to this peak.