It is endemic to Ecuador, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

The flowers are purple, pink or nearly white and have fleshy, oblong petals and parts in fives.

The bird is attracted to the stamens by the high sugar content and plucks and eats the whole anther.

[2] Axinaea sclerophylla is an uncommon tree with a small range in the high Andes of southern Ecuador.

Apart from habitat destruction, no particular threats have been identified, but because of its rarity, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated the tree as "vulnerable".