It is known from montane wet forests on Molokaʻi, a habitat with a dense, closed canopy and a shady understory.

[4] Associated plants include Asplenium spp., pilo (Coprosma ochracea), māmaki (Pipturus albidus), olonā (Touchardia latifolia), Sadleria spp., ōpuhe (Urera glabra), Cheirodendron spp., Cibotium spp., Machaerina spp., pua kala (Cyanea sonenocalyx), ōhā wai nui (Clermontia arborescens), Cyrtandra spp., and Diplazium species.

[5] The habitat is threatened with degradation and destruction by a number of forces, especially feral pigs and goats.

Plants are damaged by slugs, snails, rats, and birds.

They face competition from exotic plant species such as castor bean (Ricinus communis) and banana (Musa spp.).