Aria hibernica is a small tree or shrub up to 7 m (20 ft) high with obovate, unlobed leaves and clusters of white flowers.

[3] Aria hibernica is found in most Irish counties, usually in ones or twos, but with occasional larger groups.

It occurs in a range of habitats including mountains, woods and cliffs on limestone, gorges, lakesides, rocky pastures, hedges, roadsides and open woodland.

As a result of this rarity, and its endemic status, A. hibernica is one of the Habitas Priority Species for Northern Ireland.

It has a widespread distribution over all of the island, but only as scattered individual trees or small clumps.