It is endemic to Oahu where there are only three remaining occurrences in the northern Waianae Mountains for a total of under 300 individuals.

[4] This Hawaiian lobelioid is a shrub appearing palm-like in form and reaching 3 meters in maximum height.

[1] The fruit is a berry which is purple to red when small and ripens to orange.

The plant appears to be limited to the northern Waianae Mountains today and no longer survives in the Koʻolau Range, where a few populations had been known.

[3] Threats to this species include its small numbers, destruction and degradation of its habitat by feral pigs, feral goats, exotic plant species, military exercises, and vandalism.