Not a tropical. It grows in temperate rainforest zones in S. America down near Tierra del Fuego. The areas it lives in are similar to America's pacific northwest temperate zone rainforests.
Unfortunately, I can't grow them here in Souther California (lack of winter chill, too hot and dry in the summer) but I used to grow them when I lived in Vancouver, BC., they love it up there.
They make exceptionally good bonsai, but my favorite thing about them is the fresh smell of its bright green leaves after rain. They have a slightly waxy coating, that smells heavenly. And the tiny round leaves are very cute.